News

Twenty-two members of the York Community High School Class of 2018 have been named National Merit Commended Students, as announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The NMSC recently revealed the names of approximately 34,000 Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Program.

Commended Students placed among the top five percent nationally of those tested. A letter of commendation from the NMSC is presented to each of these outstanding students by York High School Principal Erin DeLuga.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently announced the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Among them are seniors Hannah Cronin, Matthew Dardick, Linnea Dierksheide, Courtney Jopes, Carina Kanzler, Luke Rozmus, Anshul Shah, Katherine Tomaska and Christopher Ziebert representing York Community High School. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million to be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2018 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 330,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 420 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

York's newly named NMSC Semifinalists are pictured in alphabetical order from left to right below:

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is soliciting feedback regarding Fly Quiet Test #3, which is currently underway. The CDA is analyzing the last of three runway rotation tests in order to develop a permanent nighttime rotation plan that balances the noise impacts between communities surrounding O’Hare Airport.

Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test #3 burdens Elmhurst with a disproportionately greater number of nighttime aircraft operations than other communities nearby O’Hare. Test #3 utilizes the runway directed at Elmhurst in 50% of all Fly Quiet nighttime operations. By contrast, Fly Quiet Test #2 only used that same runway in 25% of all configurations.

By voicing your concern through this survey, you are supporting equitable distribution of nighttime air traffic and helping ensure that students across our District attend school well rested and ready to learn.

In response to concern for the welfare of its families and residents, the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education of District 205 adopted a resolutionat its September 12, 2017 meeting authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the City of Chicago and Elmhurst School District 205 for participation in the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC).

This IGA permits and commits the District 205 Board to join the ONCC. The Board has appointed member Kara Caforio to serve as its initial representative.

The O'Hare Fly Quiet night-time runway rotation plan was implemented in an effort to "share the pain" and reduce the impact of overnight aircraft noise on neighborhoods surrounding O'Hare International Airport. However, under Runway Rotation Test 3, Elmhurst has been burdened with a disproportionately greater number of aircraft operations than other nearby communities. Compared to Rotation Test 2, the number of aircraft flying over Elmhurst during nighttime hours has doubled. O’Hare utilizes the runway directed at Elmhurst in 50% of all of Test 3 nighttime configurations.

“The Board of Education is committed to partnering with other governmental agencies to protect and support quality of life in Elmhurst,” said Board president Shannon Ebner. "We are particularly concerned about the potential of the inequitable flight allocations to interfere with student learning and achievement due to excessive disruptions of sleep and other family activities sustained over significant periods of time throughout the school year.”

The District 205 Board of Education has historically partnered with other community and government agencies to find solutions that benefit its families and all Elmhurst stakeholders. Its goal is always to improve the quality of life for students, their families and the community-at-large.

The first “Coffee With the Superintendent” will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Hawthorne School, 145 Arthur Street, Elmhurst, beginning at 1:30 PM. Come meet with Dr. David Moyer in an informal setting. This year’s coffee opportunities are again being organized by the PTA Council and are open to any interested District 205 parent or community resident. The remaining dates/times for 2017-18 are: October 16, 10 AM - Bryan; January 16, 1:30 PM - York; February 21, 1:30 PM - Jackson; and April 26, 10:00 AM - Lincoln.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Please plan to join us on Monday, September 18 at 7 PM in the York High School Commons, when Superintendent Dr. David Moyer will present a State of the Schools address, along with brief reports from the Learning & Teaching Department, principals, instructional coaches and teachers. Entertainment provided by York High School musicians. Come celebrate student and staff achievements, share our District goals for 2017-18 and talk about plans for Focus 205 Phase II.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

District 205’s three middle school student councils are fundraising to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Nearly 50 Houston Independent School District (HISD) schools have been flooded to some degree, other schools are being used as shelters, and a growing number of students and families have left their homes behind.

There are three ways you can help students in Houston:

1. HISD has an immediate need for children’s clothes of all sizes (clean and in reasonably good repair) and school supplies. Please bring donations to Bryan, Churchville or Sandburg and we will send them to Houston for you. If you prefer to send items directly, they can be forwarded to: HISD Harvey Recovery, ℅ Delman Stadium, 2020 Mangum, Houston, TX 77092

2. Drop off a monetary donation of any amount and we will forward funds to the Houston Independent School District Foundation.

3. The HISD Foundation has set up a special to provide assistance to their students and families. To read more about their effort and/or make an online donation, please visit www.houstonisd.org/Page/164281

Education leaders have been urging the State to pass a budget, and it did. So this is the good news and school districts are appreciative. At this time, sustainability of the initial influx of additional money in year one of SB 1947 is unclear, and the adequacy provisions in the bill are also problematic. School leaders advocated for the elimination of the bill's TIF provisions, which were removed. So that’s a good thing.

And, for the first time in a long time, there is some mandate relief in the bill, for which schools have been clamoring for years. This is also good news. A provision of this new bill will divert up to $75 million annually to non-public schools over a five-year period. This is concerning to Illinois' superintendents.

We are thankful there is a budget and a funding mechanism, so at least school districts around the State can plan. The bill was signed today by Governor Rauner.

Congratulations to Elmhurst District 205’s 2017 Those Who Excel award recipients who will be recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education on Oct. 28 in Bloomington-Normal and by proclamation of the Elmhurst Board of Education in November.They are: Fischer Principal Jane Bailey, Churchville Charge-Amazing Race Team, Fischer Librarian Donna Dewar, Fischer Instructional Coach Sharon Emmi-Iovinelli and Community Volunteer Karen Stezowski, along with Recognition recipients Bryan Educational Assistant Dianne Schiltz and Churchville Early Career Educator Cindy Villalobos.

The American public wants more than academic quality from its local public schools. It also places a strong emphasis on career skills classes, licensing and certificate programs, and technology and engineering classes. The public also wants educators to find ways to help students develop their interpersonal skills and limit standardized tests.

And if students need mental health programs and after-school programs, local school systems should provide such “wraparound services” and should be able to seek additional public funding to support them, according to public sentiment.

These findings are just part of the latest edition of the annual Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, the defining public opinion survey on American public education for the past 49 years.

The poll also reveals that parents value racial/ethnic and economic diversity in their schools, although most aren’t willing to undertake a longer commute to reach schools that would provide that for their children.

The 2017 PDK survey finds that certain attitudes toward public education follow recent trends while others continue to challenge the thinking of education and government leaders. For example, reliance on standardized testing as a measure of school quality is drawing comparatively little support from the public. A majority of Americans continue to oppose using public funds to send students to private schools. And if the question is expanded to include religious schools as an option, voucher support declines and the public’s opposition rises to 61 percent.

“These and other results suggest that some of the most prominent ideas that dominate current policy debates – from supporting vouchers to emphasizing high-stakes tests – are out of step with parents’ main concern: They want their children prepared for life and career after they complete high school,” said Joshua P. Starr, the chief executive officer of PDK International.

PDK has surveyed the American public every year since 1969 to assess public opinion about public schools. The 2017 survey was conducted by Langer Research Associates of New York City. It is based on a random, representative 50-state sample of 1,588 adults interviewed by cell or landline telephone – in English or Spanish – in May of this year. The margin of sampling error for the phone survey is ±3.5 percentage points for the full sample, including the design effect. Error margins are larger for subgroups such as parents of school-age children. Additional poll data are available at www.pdkpoll.org.

If you missed Dr. Bill Daggett's presentation, Why the Future of Education is Now, at York High School on August 14 you'll want to take a look at the attached file of his slideshow and check out this video of his keynote presentation at this summer's Model Schools Conference.

Dr. Daggett is the Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education. He has collaborated with education ministries in several countries, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Governors Association. His System for Effective Instruction and Rigor & Relevance Framework have helped thousands of school districts throughout the country improve learning for students.

The Harlem Wizards are back in Elmhurst on Saturday, September 30th to entertain the crowd with high-energy exhibition play and audience participation. Cheer on our team of Elmhurst school district principals and teachers as they challenge the Wizards in a basketball game that is sure to include wild antics and lots of laughs. The event will be held at York High School beginning at 5:00 PM. Concessions, merchandise and raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Proceeds from this family-friendly fundraiser support District 205 Foundation programs and enhancements that benefit all Elmhurst public school students. Click here to learn more and guarantee a seat at this popular Saturday event.

The Elmhurst Commission on Youth, along with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, part of Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare, will sponsor a presentation outlining when student anxiety becomes a problem. Hear about the effects of anxiety on learning, sources of anxiety in schools, and school refusal. Treatment requires a collaborative approach that includes the student, school staff, parents and mental health professionals. Dr. Laura Koehler, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Linden Oaks, leads the discussion on August 29, beginning at 7:30 PM (note change of time) at Bryan Middle School.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Superintendent Dr. David Moyer, Board President Shannon Ebner, and Elmhurst Teachers Council President Max Schoenberg made visits to all 13 Elmhurst D205 schools, as well as the Transition Center, during the first week of school. Here they meet with one of five new elementary principals, Dr. Michelle Thompson of Emerson School. Other new principals include: Heidi Thomas at Field, Tim Riordan at Hawthorne, Christine Trendel at Jackson and Jennifer Barnabee at Lincoln. To view more Back to School pictures, visit Spotlight On 205.

Students from Fischer Elementary School demonstrated the Future Focused Learning they experienced over the past school year in a short video that was shared at the July Board of Education meeting. STEM was also the focus of the Title I Summer School, which also incorporated learning multi-age groups. Students in grades 3-5 chose their topic.

Here they meet with architect Michael Tzentis to look over blueprints and determine the strongest shapes to be used in building. (Hint: think triangles)

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The College of DuPage Food Truck Rally & Sunset 5K has something for everyone: great food, a fun 5K, kid’s 100-yard dash and, new this year, an opportunity to fund a scholarship for York Community High School graduates attending COD. Sign up for the 5K Saturday, September 23, from 2 to 7:30 PM (race starts at 5 PM) and your registration fee will support a dedicated scholarship for a Duke at COD.

To register, visit www.cod.edu/5K. While you are there, check out the stellar lineup of outrageous food trucks. No need to register for a race to enjoy diverse cuisine from 18 phenomenal food trucks. Bring your family and friends! COD is located at 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

On Monday, August 14, Dr. Bill Daggett, of the International Center for Leadership in Education, will speak in Elmhurst. In the afternoon, Dr. Daggett will be the keynote speaker at the District 205 opening faculty meeting. That evening, all interested parents, area educators, community members, elected officials and business leaders are invited to share a unique and exciting opportunity to experience his important message first hand when he presents Why the Future of Education is Now! Join us at 7 PM in the York High School Commons.

Dr. Daggett will discuss the concepts of rigor, relevance and relationships, as well as creating schools that focus on the future. Most importantly, attendees will be challenged to think about the role of public education as it relates to this country's future and the world economy.

Dr. Bill Daggett is the Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education. He has collaborated with education ministries in several countries, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the National Governors Association. Dr. Daggett’s System for Effective Instruction and Rigor and Relevance Framework have helped thousands of school districts throughout the country improve learning for students.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Want to understand what your kids are learning? Thanks to a partnership between the Elmhurst Public Library and School District 205, evening technology classes are being offered to D205 parents on the following topics on these dates:

The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are reminding parents and guardians to check their children’s vaccination records to make sure they meet immunization requirements prior to the first day of school.

“Immunizations are central to keeping students healthy and ready to learn,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “Keeping children’s vaccinations up to date according to the recommended schedule is one of the most important things parents and guardians can do to protect the health of the youngest and oldest among us. Whether for a baby starting at a new child care facility, a toddler heading to preschool, or a student going back to elementary, middle or high school, I encourage parents and guardians to check their children’s vaccination records and, if necessary, schedule a visit with a physician or clinic. Doing so now will avoid a potential last-minute rush.”

Immunizations have eradicated several serious diseases, such as smallpox, polio, and diphtheria in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Instances of other serious diseases, such as measles and rubella, have dropped by more than 99 percent since the pre-vaccination era. Keeping students’ vaccinations up to date is especially important, as diseases can spread quickly among groups of unvaccinated children.

“Child care facilities, preschool programs, and schools are prone to outbreaks of infectious diseases,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Children in these settings can easily spread illnesses to one another due to poor hand washing, not covering their coughs, and other factors, such as interacting in crowded environments. When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for disease and can spread disease to others in their child care centers, classrooms, and communities – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer and other health conditions.”

The summertime clock is winding down. Are you ready to go back to school? Check out the D205 Back to School page at www.elmhurst205.org/back2school for news you can use. York High School Book Week is August 7-11. See the York homepage at http://york.elmhurst205.org for the pre-pack only schedule on Monday and Tuesday.

On Saturday, September 9, Jarrett Payton will present his PROJECT: NO BULL to Elmhurst families at Sandburg Middle School, beginning at 9 AM. Sponsored by the Elmhurst Commission on Youth, this is an in-school anti-bullying program featuring personal appearances from Jarrett Payton which includes strong messaging and a lasting impact that seeks to create and maintain safe environments for our youth. Through PROJECT: NO BULL, all forms of bullying will be addressed, including cyber bullying.

Drawing from the latest research, the majority of the program highlights the role of bystanders and encourages young people to speak out if and when they see bullying occur, online or in person. Mr. Payton will also make a visit to District 205 middle schools on August 25 (Bryan and Sandburg) and August 29 (Churchville).

This message serves as notification that TruGreen will be applying fertilizer, herbicide and vegetation control throughout Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 grounds. Applications will be applied at all schools on Friday, August 4, 2017.

Due to decreasing budgets and limited available personnel, it is impossible for District 205 to prevent weeds without some chemical assistance. The best weed prevention is a healthy lawn and the majority of the applications will be feed for the grass. A limited amount of weed control will also be used in very low concentrations. All EPA guidelines will be followed. The chemical dries in less than an hour. For further information, please click on the links below.

The DuPage Regional Office of Education, in partnership with volunteers from the DuPage Credit Union and Catholic Charities (Diocese of Joliet), will sponsor the annual Back to School Fair for low-income families on Wednesday, August 2, from 11 AM to 6 PM at St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

This is an opportunity for families to meet with and learn about services provided by numerous agencies from DuPage County and the State of Illinois. Each K-12 student in attendance will receive free vision/dental screenings, plus free school supplies - even a free haircut, if desired. Visit the event website at https://catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/back-to-school-fair-2014-dupage-county.

Meant to be a fun day for kids, the Fair will offer balloon art, games and face painting. Books and novels will be given away, as well as coupons for free haircuts. The Fair, which is sponsored by Catholic Charities and the DuPage Regional Office of Education, is a totally free event, but participants must bring proof of residency in DuPage County, identification for all family members and proof of family income. For additional information, see the flyer(s) posted below.

Is there a new family in your neighborhood? Please let them know that families should enroll new students at the District 205 Center. Information about documentation needed for enrolling students can be found on the New Student Enrollment page.

Evening enrollment hours will be held on August 1 and August 7 from 4 to 8 PM at the District 205 Center and at Conrad Fischer Elementary, 888 N. Wilson, during those same dates and times (for students attending Fischer only).

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Elmhurst District 205 is thrilled to welcome Dr. Bill Daggett of the International Center for Leadership in Education to the community on Monday, August 14. In the afternoon, Dr. Daggett will be the keynote speaker at our opening faculty meeting. That evening, we cordially invite all local parents, community members, school board members, business and community leaders, legislators, and area educators to share with us a unique and exciting opportunity to experience his important message first hand. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. in the York High School Commons.

Dr. Daggett will discuss the concepts of rigor, relevance and relationships and share some important concepts about his organization's Rigor and Relevance Framework. Most importantly, attendees will be challenged to think about the role of public education as it relates to this country's future and the world economy. I predict that if you are able to join us, you will never think about "school" the same way again.

Dr. Bill Daggett is the Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education. He has collaborated with education ministries in several countries, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the National Governors Association. Dr. Daggett’s System for Effective Instruction and Rigor and Relevance Framework have helped thousands of school districts throughout the country improve learning for students.

http://www.leadered.com/

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

York Community High School has named a total of 1,945 students to the second semester honor roll for the 2016-17 school year, based on their exemplary academic performance. Students achieving a 3.5 or higher are recognized with High Honors and students achieving 3.0 – 3.4999 grade point average are recognized with Honors.

The Illinois State Board of Education is behind $2.5 million in payments owed to District 205. Other State funding threats include a property tax freeze ($1.1M impact in 2017-18), a proposed new school funding formula and a possible pension cost shift.

A two-year property tax freeze has the following impact on Elmhurst School District 205.

At its June 20 meeting, the Elmhurst District 205 Board of Education approved the appointment of Mariann Lemke as the new Executive Director of Research and Program Analysis effective July 14, 2017 at a base salary of $133,382.

Ms. Lemke comes to Elmhurst from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she has spent the last eight years as the Managing Director. She has nearly 20 years of experience managing large-scale research, evaluation and assessment projects in education at the federal, state and district levels. At AIR, Lemke leads and acts as senior advisor on projects related to the use of assessment data and educator quality. She served as a project director on an impact evaluation of principal preparation programs and principal investigator on an evaluation of a teacher residency and incentives program.

She also leads a project aimed at building capacity in districts to improve professional learning. She manages projects related to educator effectiveness, which includes current or past work for the Florida Department of Education, Baltimore City Public Schools, New York State Education Department, Delaware Department of Education, Texas Education Agency, and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in Washington, D.C.

She joined AIR in 2009 from the Chicago Public Schools, where for two years she was the Director of Assessment and responsible for administering state and district testing, new test development and the district’s overall assessment strategy. Prior to that, Ms. Lemke managed the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the International Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey at the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education for seven years.

Ms. Lemke holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Chicago (1993) and a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (1998). A former elementary teacher, she is a published author and is fluent in Spanish.

"I could not be more excited about what Mariann brings to the table to help us move the academic needle in Elmhurst. She has exceptional knowledge, experience, and talent. Truth be told, we are lucky to find somebody with her expertise. But what is even more encouraging is that she speaks of teams and collaboration. She indicates a true desire to listen to people. I am excited to learn from her as we all work together to ensure that District 205 always reaches its fullest potential,” said Superintendent Dr. David Moyer.

This summer, York Community High School student Cate Ayers will travel to Urubamba, Peru with VISIONS Service Adventures, an international community service program for teens. Ayers will join other high school students from around the world in the historic Incan capital where the teens will live in the community, tackle ambitious service projects, enjoy adventures and explore the surrounding area, and get to know the local customs and traditions.

“Students arrive with the intent of contributing to underserved communities, and end up a part of that community,” says Katherine Dayton, Executive Director of VISIONS. “Here, students are able to build relationships with other participants, mentors, and community members, and they get to step out of their comfort zones, do something different, and have experiences that create lifelong impact.”

In Urubamba, students will build upon water conservation and irrigation work done by VISIONS and local partners for over a decade. The cement irrigation channels provide efficient access to water for farmers as they face years of increasing drought. Students will also do maintenance and expansion at VISIONS-built preschools in the Sacred Valley. This will be the 18th VISIONS Summer in Peru.

In the afternoons and on weekends, students have the opportunity to travel regionally and explore their home base area. In Peru, this includes a trip to Machu Picchu and other ruins, visiting historic Cusco, and hot spring soaks. The students will also have plenty of opportunities to practice their Spanish while they apprentice with local artisans, join pick-up soccer games, and shop at the food market.

All programs are overseen by adult leaders and long-time local partners, who guide and teach the students in hands-on construction and other development projects. Beyond completing service projects, the summer is an opportunity for students to explore the idea of community in both a local and global sense. “VISIONS is not about construction projects,” explains long-time program leader David Kramer. “It is about deconstructing how we view the world and then framing a new vision upon the foundation of real experience with a global perspective.”

VISIONS has been running high school and middle school volunteer travel experiences since 1989, and is well known for programs that are centered on ambitious projects in cross-cultural settings. Locations include Alaska, the British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, Mississippi, the Montana Blackfeet and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations, Myanmar (Burma), the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Nicaragua, Peru, and Guadeloupe.

York High School has been competing in the Capitol Hill Challenge for the last few years. This year, one of the York teams finished second in the country. The Capitol Hill Challenge is a national program that teaches middle and high school students the importance of saving and investing through a mock stock market game, while also giving them a better understanding of government, according to a release from Challenge sponsor SIFMA.

"Schools are awarded 10 teams which we have traditionally split between our Honors Personal Finance course and our Economics Club," said York Business Department Chair Jim Borel. "This year, 4 of our 10 teams finished in the top 1 percent of the 3,939 stock teams participating in the Capital Hill Challenge. The second place team in the country consisted of seniors Burke Corcoran, Kevin Lipkin, Mark Leali and junior Jason Kentra. This team was part of Tamra Carl's Economics Club." An awards reception will be held on June 21 in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capital Hill in Washington, DC.

In the Challenge, teams invest a hypothetical $100,000 in listed stocks, bonds and mutual funds, learning the value of the capital markets as they work together to maximize the return of their portfolios.

"Tamra does a great job and should be commended for our national second place finish. I will be accompanying the team on the trip to Washington, DC from June 20-22. Last year, we finished in ninth place in the country with a CHC team from the Honors Personal Finance course. This a great opportunity for our students to learn investing strategies. The trip is also a great opportunity for our students see our democracy in action," said Mr. Borel.

"I also want to note that this is a special accomplishment because three years ago members of this team were in line to make the top 10 in the nation and got bumped out the last night of the competition. It was their goal every year since then to place in the top 10," Mrs. Carl said. "I am so proud of them for working hard to strategically trade up until the very end of the competition, showing leadership to the Economics Club at our weekly meetings and meeting their objective!"

Middle and high school students from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia participated in this year’s competition. Montgomery Area High School in Pennsylvania was this year's winner of the stock market game.

On June 5, at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago, York Community High School’s rendition of “West Side Story” was named Best Production at the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards. “It is a humbling and incredible honor for all involved” said Director Rebecca Marianetti.

The Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) - The JimmyAwards - serves as an annual national celebration of outstanding achievement in musical theater performance by high school students. IHSMTA categories include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Overall Production.

Three York students were nominated as finalists for the Jimmy Awards: Tatum Langley, Erik Martenson and Carina Kanzler. There were 24 students selected in the state of Illinois to participate. Carina will be a senior at York. Tatum, a 2017 York graduate, was in the final round and will earn her BFA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. Erik, also a 2017 YCHS graduate, will earn his BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College, New York.

“In addition to our amazing actors, musicians and crew, the amount of support we have received from our team of talented and tireless faculty, administration and community has been phenomenal. To end the year with this honor is icing on the cake. We are proud to live in a community that understands education through the arts is essential," said Ms. Marianetti.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Even if your soon-to-be York High School freshman has been a District 205 student for years, he or she must prove residency for the 2017-18 school year. If you have any questions about residency verification, please contact York High School directly at 630-617-2400. Please bring all required paperwork to York High School (355 W. St. Charles Rd).

Daytime hours:
Monday through Thursday
8 AM - 3 PM.

Evening verification will take place as follows:
June 27 | July 12 | July 20

5 PM - 8 PM

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Audience: Homepage, Hawthorne Elementary School and Lincoln Elementary School

At its May 23, 2017 meeting, the Elmhurst School District 205 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Dr. Christina Podraza as the new assistant principal at Hawthorne and Lincoln elementary schools, effective August 1, 2017 with a salary of $91,573. (See related news item on the District 205 homepage.) She replaces Tim Riordan, who was recently confirmed as the new principal of Hawthorne.

Dr. Podraza comes to Elmhurst from Naperville District 203, where she has served as the Learning Support Coach for Mill Street Elementary School since 2012. There she played an integral role in adoption and implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). She served on the School Improvement Team and was a member of the District 203 Service Delivery Design Committee and the Science Curriculum Committee.

“I am beyond thrilled to be a part of Elmhurst Community Unit District 205! I am looking forward to getting to know the Hawthorne and Lincoln staff, students and families and can’t wait to start my work as assistant principal. I hope that my passion for student engagement and instructional coaching background will be an asset to both buildings,” said Dr. Podraza.

Prior to her tenure in District 203, she was a fifth grade teacher at Schiesher Elementary School in Lisle for four years. There she developed multiple assessments aligned to Common Core, designed authentic, interactive programs which incorporated technology to motivate student learning. She used both qualitative and quantitative data to make decisions regarding curricular planning.

Dr. Podraza was also a classroom teacher in Bensenville District 2, in East Aurora District 131 and served as a long-term sub and reading improvement assistant at Armstrong School in Hoffman Estates.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Monmouth College (1999), her master’s in Elementary Education from DePaul University (2003) and her doctorate in Educational Leadership & Organizational Change from Roosevelt University (2014).

"I am excited that Christina is joining District 205. Her instructional knowledge, professional development experience and her ability to facilitate PLCs is timely and will help our staff provide exceptional learning experiences to our students,” said Riordan.

“Having Christina join the Lincoln and Hawthorne teams excites me! I am inspired by her energy, passion, and instructional expertise and look forward to working with her to support students, families, and staff,” said Jennifer Barnabee, who will be the new Lincoln Elementary School principal for 2017-18.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Friday, May 12th, began as usual for students and staff of Elmhurst District 205 schools, until District 205 Foundation Board members began paying surprise visits to extraordinary teachers who were awarded the Thiems Educational Grants they had applied for last semester. Throughout the day, several teams of Foundation Directors visited all thirteen schools from Madison Early Childhood Center to York High School with bells and balloons awarding grants to happy teachers and excited students.

A total of 25 grants worth $53,827 were awarded this year for implementation next academic year. The grant program is named after former District 205 Superintendent Dr. Russell Thiems, who was instrumental in in the formation of the Foundation for Educational Excellence, which has provided close to $1.5 million dollars in Thiems Grants to District 205 since 1989.

One highlight for this year is the awarding of several grants to help create Makerspaces at every elementary school library and two areas (Library and Lincoln Lab) at York High School. A makerspace is a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring and sharing. Spaces such as these support future-ready learning and allow teachers and students to embed creativity and innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration in learning experiences.

“Our donors have helped us enhance all curricular areas for students, including the arts and physical education,” commented Foundation Executive Director Lisa Fanelli, “and recently our focus has been on providing future-ready learning opportunities for students.”

Generous attendees at this year’s Foundation Gala, held in March, raised $106,000 that will go a long way in supporting Foundation programs. Recently funded enhancements include, three future- ready model classrooms in three different schools, Google Expedition Kits that bring the world to elementary classrooms through virtual field trips, Kano Kits that allow middle school students to build and program their own computer, and Dano App Crayons for use with iPads to help preschoolers learn to write.

In addition to the grants, the Foundation supports instructional programs, community programs and partnerships, as well as District initiatives, bringing the total over $2.7 million raised and funded. To make a donation, and for a complete list of 2017 grants, including photographs of the award day, please visit www.elmhurst205.org/foundation.

York High School Drama alumni will return to the York Stage for this one night only musical, Godspell, set for Friday, June 9 in York's Baker Auditorium. Tickets went on sale May 15 at https://www.ticketpeak.com/res/yorkdrama. Heading the cast are Michael St. Peter (BA, Vocal Performance, Juilliard) and James Mueller (BA, Dance, Luther) as Jesus and Judas.

The York Drama Alumni Program was started to support our young actors who are pursuing a career in the arts. In a community that supports the arts to the fullest, it has been a spectacular and enriching opportunity for all involved.

James Mueller, as Judas, states “This program and the people in it have had a huge impact on me as an artist and as a person. Godspell is a show about building community. Through storytelling, the characters create a singular group identity through which they find compassion, support, and most importantly love. By nurturing these characteristics within each other we as the audience begin to see the characters change, grow, and let their light shine. This is also true of the Elmhurst community. We are all so fortunate and to be a part of it."

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Two new principals were confirmed at tonight’s meeting of the District 205 Board of Education. Heidi Thomas will replace Field Elementary School Principal Tammy Poole, who has taken a job in another district. Tim Riordan will replace Hawthorne Elementary School Principal Nikki Tammaru, who was recently tapped to become the District’s new Director of Literacy. Mr. Riordan has served as the Assistant Principal at both Hawthorne and Lincoln schools this year.

A second career educator, Mr. Riordan came to Elmhurst District 205 last year from East Maine School District 63, where he taught at Melzer Elementary School for four years. He also served as an administrative intern and the facilitator of Melzer’s Building Leadership Team from 2014-2016, leading teacher teams in the use of qualitative and quantitative data to monitor and support the academic, social and emotional growth of students.

“I have enjoyed my first year at Hawthorne, and I am fortunate that I get to continue to work with a dedicated staff, amazing students, and supportive families. We made great progress this year, and I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure the progress continues,” said Mr. Riordan.

"When we hired Tim, we knew he would be a good principal someday, and we are glad that day is here. He has been a leader in our Eureka Math implementation across the District, has excellent knowledge of the research, and his expertise with the Danielson model [The Framework for Teaching] has really helped support dialogue with teachers about high-quality professional practice,” said Superintendent Dr. David Moyer.

Mr. Riordan holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Northern Illinois University (2011) and a Master’s in Education Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (2016). He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

An assistant principal at Rupley Elementary School in Elk Grove Village Community Consolidated District 59 for three years, Ms. Thomas was a classroom teacher at Forest View Elementary School in District 59 for ten years, where she also served as an instructional resource teacher on the Math Resource and Talent Development team for one year. In addition, she was a member of the CCSD59 Technology Cadre for two years. She also taught fifth grade at Thompson Elementary School (Lake Villa School District 41) from 2001-2004.

Of her new position, Ms. Thomas said, “I am honored to be chosen as the Principal of Field Elementary School. I look forward to collaborating with the talented and committed staff, supportive parents, and empowering our students for success as we keep our mission at the forefront of all we do.”

She holds a degree in elementary education from Illinois State University (2001), a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Chicago’s Concordia University (2007), as well as a Master’s degree in School Leadership from Concordia (2011).

"Heidi has excellent knowledge of curriculum and instruction and a passion for ensuring that students are engaged in their learning. She is on the front end of the curve as it relates to technology. She will certainly be an excellent addition to our leadership team. She is clearly ready to be a principal," said Dr. Moyer.

The Elmhurst Police Department will be offering free registration of bicycles for Elmhurst District 205 middle school students on two different dates over the next few weeks. Police officers will be present before school at both Bryan and Sandburg to help students register their bicycles with the City of Elmhurst (Churchville had a very successful bike registration event last fall). Police will also provide materials regarding Illinois Rules of the Road for Bicycles. Officers will be on site at:

Bryan Middle School on Wednesday, May 10 – 7:45 to 8:15 AM (rain date May 11)

Sandburg Middle School on Thursday, May 18 – 7:30 to 8:15 AM (rain date May 19)

Blank forms will be available for pick-up by students who do not ride to school that day, and registration forms are always available at the Elmhurst Police Department.

Every year about 1.5 million bicycles are stolen across the U.S. The majority of these thefts occur when bicycles are left unlocked and unsecured; be it at local store’s bike rack or, left unattended in a residential yard. This is the fifth year that the Elmhurst Police Department has offered on-site registration for middle school students.

National Bike Month is celebrated in May, in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists. Remember, National Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 10 and will be celebrated in a variety of ways by District 205 schools. This sixth annual event builds on the popularity of International Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the world each October.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists has created an online safety quiz for cyclists and drivers. Individual quizzes are offered in an interactive multiple-choice format for child bicyclists, adult bicyclists and motorists, at three levels of difficulty.

The next Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, May 17, and only for grades EC-8. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer and Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching, Dr. Mary Henderson-Baum, recently met with parents of current 4th – 7th graders to share information about the Middle School Task Force recommendations and implementation of the new schedule for 2017-2018.

Last month, meetings were held at each of the three District 205 middle schools. Parents were asked to submit questions on index cards, some of which were answered that night. As promised, the cards have now been recorded and sorted into categories to create a Frequently Asked Questions document. Categories include:

Core Subjects

Electives

ELA

Math

Science

Social Studies

Acceleration

General Questions

Professional Learning

Special Education

Band, Orchestra, Chorus

Unified Arts/Physical Education

World Language

In an effort to eliminate redundancy, while capturing the essence of the inquiries, we have consolidated some of the questions. To access the questions and answers, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/205MSFAQ. The presentation given at the meetings is also posted here.

The last day of school was approved at the April 25 Board of Education meeting. Due to a mild winter, and no other weather-related incidents, the five emergency days which are built into the school calendar, have not been used. Below are the student dismissal dates and times. The 2016-17 End-of-Year Calendar contains helpful information about final exams and 8th grade promotion times.

May 25 - Last day of attendance for York High School freshmen, sophomores and juniors at the conclusion of exams.

May 31 - Last day of attendance for Early Childhood and AM/PM kindergarten students. Last day of attendance for 8th grade students.

June 1 - Last day of school for grades 1-5; early dismissal at 11:15 AM. Last day of school for grades 6 and 7; early dismissal at 11:35 AM.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

On Tuesday, April 25, the District 205 Board of Education voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the employment of current Hawthorne Elementary School Principal Nikki Tammaru as the new District 205 Director of Literacy, effective July 1, 2017.

Dr. Mary Henderson-Baum, Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Teaching said, “Ms. Tammaru has a strong background in both literacy and leadership. Her passion for literacy is evident in her daily work. Her ability to plan and lead professional learning will allow us to fully support our teachers at all levels in our continued work to improve instruction.”

Ms. Tammaru holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston (1995) and a master’s degree in reading (2001) and in administration (2006) from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.

Prior to coming to District 205 in 2011, Ms. Tammaru served as Assistant Principal of the Americana Intermediate School in Glendale Heights’ Queen Bee District 16 for three years. From 2000 to 2007, she was a reading specialist and literacy coordinator for Lombard Elementary District 44 for one year; she worked in Aurora West District 129 as a reading specialist for four years. Previous to that, she was a third and fifth grade classroom teacher for four years in Lyons Elementary District 103, where she also served as a Title I teacher.

Her previous experience includes serving as a team leader and PBIS “Star School” recipient; designing and implementing school-wide guided reading for a building of 700 students; overseeing the collection and analysis of all literacy data to provide interventions for students in three tier levels; and providing on-going differentiated staff development.

At the Board meeting held on April 11, Dave Beedy was elevated from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Coordinator to the position of Director of STEM Education. “His leadership, initiative, and the quality of his work has been outstanding,” noted Dr. Moyer.

“Mr. Beedy is an accomplished leader who, most recently, has led the curriculum development team for our revised math curriculum. He is highly collaborative, seeks to build consensus and has worked to open access to challenging curriculum for all learners. He is consistently recognized by teachers in our district for his support, communication, and responsiveness to teacher questions and concerns.”

Prior to joining the Elmhurst team in July of 2014, Mr. Beedy served as Assistant Principal at Perspectives Charter School in Chicago. He was also the Science and Technology Instructional Leader there, and previously worked for Lake Forest and New Trier High Schools as a science teacher and Science Olympiad head coach.

Mr. Beedy was one of 41 educators chosen by the State Board of Education to develop a model science curriculum based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which are connected to the Common Core Literacy and Math standards. He holds a master’s degree in Earth Science Education from the University of Illinois (2002), and a Type 75 in Educational Leadership from DePaul University (2010).

Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer made the recommendation to change the District STEM Coordinator and Literacy Coordinator positions to Director of STEM Education and Director of Literacy. To reflect Administrative Cabinet status, current Directors’ titles will be changed to Executive Director with no increased compensation. This takes effect July 1, 2017.

The new Directors will facilitate parent education, lead professional learning, supervise department chairs, other leaders and committee work, actively plan and coordinate curriculum development work, with a focus on interdisciplinary units of instruction, and play a more prominent role in the assessment development work in the District, which must be a top priority for the foreseeable future. As the District moves to more program evaluation, the Directors will support the Executive Director for Research and Program Analysis, Charles Sprandel, in this area.

Superintendent Moyer noted that “these recommendations are designed to strengthen the leadership and systematic coordination of District operations. As opportunities are presented, the Elmhurst District 205 Administration will continue to look for ways to improve its effectiveness.”

The City of Elmhurst’s Commission on Youth honored 73 young volunteers at its annual Exemplary Youth Service Awards program, on Wednesday, April 26, at Sandburg Middle School. Featured speakers were York High School students and 2016 Exemplary Volunteer Service award winners Ella Pittman, Brenna Bohaboy and Christina Sapata.

Named as Exemplary Youth Volunteers were the following individuals: Eisleigh Harding, Benjamin Hoffmann, Elizabeth Maloney, Theodore Miller and Maria Muehleis. Exemplary groups were: The Dependent Clauses, Kartwheels for Kids and the York Community High School Garden Club. A link to the Exemplary Youth Service Awards program is available below.

The Exemplary Youth Service Awards program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated at least one of the following criteria through volunteer service: the level of involvement should demonstrate an exemplary commitment; the service must contribute to the health and well-being of a worthy individual or group or the community at large; the service should help promote the spirit of volunteerism.

The nominees range in age from elementary through high school. Eight groups and 13 individuals were nominated for this year’s awards. Serving as distinguished judges were Diane McGinnis, Director of Community and Government Relations for Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare; Marti Deuter, First Ward Alderman; and Elmhurst Police Deputy Chief Michael McLean.

The program will air on the Elmhurst government access channels (Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T Channel 99) on Fridays at 5:00 PM, beginning on May 5, and Sundays at 6 PM throughout the month of Mayand will also be available for viewing on www.ElmhurstTV.com.

Pictured above are Ted Miller and his nominator Meg March (with husband Harold March), as well as The Dependent Clauses - both recipients of 2017 Exemplary Youth Service Awards, sponsored by the Elmhurst Commission on Youth.

As parents of students in grades 6-12, we wanted you to be aware of a new series on Netflix called 13 Reasons Why. The show is based on a book written by Jay Asher about a high school student who commits suicide and leaves behind audio recordings documenting the 13 reasons why she chose to end her life. Some of the episodes are graphic in nature and include scenes involving sexual assault, substance abuse and the event of the suicide.

Much has been written about this series, some in support of it forcing us to confront the issues surrounding teen suicide, while others are concerned about the graphic nature and the messages it sends to the viewer. It has come to our attention that many of our students have seen this series or are planning to do so in the near future. It is our recommendation that parents use this as an opportunity to question if this series is appropriate for your child. If you know that your child is sensitive to the things they watch and easily influenced, it is possible this show may have a strong negative effect on your child. Many online sources recommend this show only for viewers 15 years old and older.

If your child has already viewed the series, we encourage you to sit down with them and speak openly about what the series meant to him/her. It is also an opportunity as parents to talk about the alternatives to suicide when feeling sad, anxious and overwhelmed with the stress of life. We believe these conversations are crucial as your children navigates both their feelings and the complex issues that are introduced in the series.

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer joins more than 400 school chiefs from across the state, representing 1.35 million students, in calling for the Illinois General Assembly to immediately pass a state budget. The grassroots initiative - called “Pass Illinois’ Budget!” - also urges lawmakers and Governor Rauner to improve the state’s education funding formula, and pay school districts millions of dollars owed in unpaid bills this year.

As legislators return to Springfield following their spring break, school districtsare using school marquees to share their frustration with the state budget crisis and taking to social media with a call to #PassILBudget. As of April 24, 2017, the state now owes District 205 $3,670,579 and has been operating without a full budget for the past 22 months.

“I stand with over 400 superintendents from across the state in a call for action,” said Dr. Moyer. “We need to end the impasse now and move forward with a budget that will serve the two million K-12 Illinois public school students who represent our future.”

The superintendents are calling on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to do the following:

Immediately, and with bipartisan support, end the state budget impasse.

Improve the state’s education funding formula and invest in students and schools, including higher education, throughout the state.

Pay school districts what they are owed this year.

While K-12 education has benefited from a partially-funded state budget, Illinois schools, students, families, and communities will continue to suffer without a full state budget. Districts will continue to struggle if “Mandated Categoricals,” state payments which support special education, bilingual education, transportation, and other important services, do not get paid this year. District 205 has not received three categorical payments this year. Here are the largest funds due:

Transportation -$990,078.06

Special Education - $2,616,602.18

State Free Lunch - $1,818.25

Driver’s Education - $22,080.28

Early Childhood - $40,000.00

State revenue accounts for about 8.13 percent of District 205’s operating budget or $9,341,790. The General State Aid payments, which support general operating expenses, are being paid on time, however, the categorical payments are not. District 205 has not received any categorical payments this year with the exception of one late quarter payment from last fiscal year.

"Because this money reimburses costs to existing programming, and because the majority of these services are required by law, the District will likely have to consider either spending down its fund balance, which is an unsustainable solution, or study options to reduce spending in other programming areas in which discretionary decisions are possible," noted Dr. Moyer.

More than 400 superintendents, representing 66 percent of Illinois’ public school students from Carbondale to Chicago to Rockford have joined the effort. Please see press release link below to view the list. Please also reference the Frequently Asked Questions document via the link below.

The Elmhurst Art Museum will feature artwork by K-8 students in District 205, The 2017 Very Young Moderns Exhibition, on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7 from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with an artists’ reception on Friday, May 5 from 3:30-5:30 PM. Admission is free to view the D205 exhibition. Regular admission applies to view additional museum exhibitions.

Elmhurst District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer, along with Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Dr. Mary Henderson-Baum, will meet with parents of current 4th – 7th graders to share information about theMiddle School Task Force recommendations and the implementation of the new schedule for 2017-2018.

The same meeting will be held at each of the middle schools according to this schedule:

If the meeting date at your child's middle/feeder school does not work for you, please feel free to attend at one of the other schools. Spanish interpretation will be provided at the Churchville meeting.

The tradition continues with this year’s sixth annual Top Pizza Taste of Elmhurst on April 27, from 5:30-7:30 PM in the York High School Commons, sponsored by the District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence. Elmhurst restaurants and pizzerias will be showcasing their traditional, specialty varieties and gluten-free pizza pies. The $10 entrance fee allows attendees to taste the variety of vendor offerings and vote for their favorites. The event will also feature raffles and musical entertainment.

This is a great family fundraising event that allows adults and kids to enjoy dinner together with friends and taste pizzas that are both familiar and new to them. For those families trying to juggle sports practices and games on a weeknight, it’s a great way to grab dinner before or after. Make it dinner-and-a-play by combining the evening with this year’s York High School spring musical, West Side Story, which is currently sold out.

Proceeds from Top Pizza Taste of Elmhurst benefit District 205 Foundation programs that enhance education for K-12 schools. For more information and to purchase the entrance fee in advance, visit www.elmhurst205.org/foundation_pizza.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The RevTrak Web Store is getting a makeover. This new mobile-friendly design will simplify end-user experience when making payments from any device. Visit the Web Store through any web browser on the device of your choosing – it’s that easy. In addition to the responsive design, the following features have been added:

Jefferson Elementary School is hosting the final Coffee with the Superintendent on April 19th at 360 E. Crescent. This is also a Student Late Arrival Day, so plan to drop of your children and join the Jefferson PTA at 10 AM. There is no set agenda, but this a great opportunity for all interested parents to meet with Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

District 205 continues its professional development time for the purpose of school improvement planning throughout the year. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community. The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, April 19. The final district-wide Student Late Arrival date for 2016-17 will be Wednesday, May 17.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Last fall, the York Distinguished Alumni Program (YDAP) recognized and honored seven Dukes of Distinction for 2016, alumni who have distinguished themselves through significant and extraordinary accomplishments or through service and an outstanding contribution to society. The nomination deadline for 2017 is April 30. Nominations may be completed online at www.elmhurst205.org/17Nomination. For further information, please visit the YDAP pageor contact District 205 Director of Communications Melea Smith (msmith@elmhurst205.org) or Administrative Assistant Debbie Hollstein (dhollstein@elmhurst205.org) in the Office of Communications/Alumni Relations at 630-941-4719.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, April 19. District 205 continues its professional development time for the purpose of school improvement planning throughout the year. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community. The final district-wide Student Late Arrival date for 2016-17 will be Wednesday, May 17.

The testing window for the spring 2017 administration of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment in District 205 will begin on Monday, April 3 and continue through Friday, April 28. These state-required achievement tests in reading and mathematics are being given to all eligible students in grades 3 – 8. Your child’s school will share more specific information about when students will be tested within this window.

District 205 anticipates being able to share score reports in the fall. The complete results of these state tests will be also reported on the Illinois School Report Card in the fall. We will review state tests results, along with other information to help us improve our school program. If you have any questions about the administration of these assessments, please contact your child’s principal.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The Elmhurst History Museum reminds second graders and their schools that the annual Ruth Strand Poster Contest will soon begin. Packets with contest information and entry forms will be sent to all District 205 second grade teachers during the first week of April. The 2017 deadline for poster entries is Friday, May 5, by 5:00 PM. Schools with ten or more participants will earn a $100 grant for the school’s library from the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, so please be sure to take advantage of this special opportunity. For more information or to download entry forms, visit the History Museum’s website.

Winners and their families will be honored at a reception in the Elmhurst History Museum’s Education Center on Wednesday, May 24, at 4:00 PM. In addition, the contest winners will be invited to march in the Elmhurst Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29 and be recognized by the City Council on Monday, June 5. Posters will be displayed at the museum throughout the summer months, and winning entries will be exhibited at Elmhurst City Hall.

The Elmhurst District 205 Summer Instrumental Music Program offers an exciting opportunity for all current 4th -8th grade band and orchestra students and 6th – 8th grade choir students to continue with instrumental music instruction in June and July. Regular practice during the summer months is critically important for band and orchestra students to reinforce the concepts and skills that they have learned and practiced during the school year. Moreover, learning and playing music is an activity that should be enjoyed year ‘round.

The Summer Instrumental Music Program will run from June 12 through July 14. (No class on July 3 or 4.)

The registration fee is $92.00. The registration fee includes a Summer Instrumental Program T shirt.

Rehearsals for current elementary band and orchestra students (incoming 5th and 6th graders) will be held Monday through Thursday mornings at Bryan Middle School. Each rehearsal is one hour. There will be a rehearsal on FRIDAY, July 7th (in place of the July 3rd holiday). The final performances will be on FRIDAY, morning, July 14.

Rehearsals for current middle school band and orchestra students (incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students) will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at York High School. There will be a rehearsal on FRIDAY, July 7th (in place of the July 4th holiday). Middle School Summer Band and Orchestra students may also participate in Jazz Band. The final performance will be on THURSDAY, July 13th.

NEW this year, current middle school choir students (incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students) may participate in the summer choir at York High School on Monday and Wednesday evenings (No Class on Monday, July 3rd). Middle school students who register for summer band or orchestra may also enroll in choir at no additional cost. The final performance will be on THURSDAY, July 13th.

The District 205 Summer Instrumental Program is designed to accommodate students who go on vacation and/or participate in other summer activities. Students who can only attend part of the summer program are still strongly encouraged to register and attend whenever they can! Students who practice their instruments during the summer are much more likely to experience continued success in band and orchestra. We strongly encourage your son or daughter to participate as much as he/she is able!

A dozen York Community High School students shone at the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) state meet, held on March 9-11 at at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont. York Business Department Chair Jim Borel serves as their coach.

Chris Foster and Allison Evans competed in Automotive Services Marketing; Chris Irby competed in Hotel and Lodging Marketing; Blake Quarrie competed in Accounting Applications; Maria Flynn and Demetri Broches competed in the Financial Analysis Team event; Alex Hennessy and Grace Que placed in the top ten in the Financial Analysis Team event; Matt Anderson and Jason Kentra finished in 4th place in the Financial Analysis Team event; and Burke Corcoran and Kevin Lipkin finished in 1st place and won the Financial Analysis Team event.

Matt Anderson, Jason Kentra, Burke Cocoran and Kevin Lipkin all qualified to participate in the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California at the end of April. There were over 1,000 students participating in the state DECA conference and there will be over 20,000 students in Anaheim, California.

York Community High School DECA students at the March 9-11, 2017 state competition with Coach Jim Borel. The students are: front row from left - Matt Anderson, Blake Quarrie, Grace Que, Maria Flynn, Alex Hennessy, Allison Evans, and back row from left - Kevin Lipkin, Burke Corcoran, Demetri Broches, Chris Irby, Jason Kentra and Chris Foster.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The testing window for the spring 2017 administration of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment in District 205 will begin on Monday, April 3 and continue through Friday, April 28. These state-required achievement tests in reading and mathematics are being given to all eligible students in grades 3 – 8. Your child’s school will share more specific information about when students will be tested within this window.

In addition to the PARCC assessment, state and federal regulations require each school to assess achievement in science for students in 5th grade, 8th grade and high school biology. The Illinois Science Assessment will be administered in each school between Monday, March 13 and Friday, March 24. This assessment is approximately one hour in length and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science.

We anticipate being able to share score reports in the fall. The complete results of these state tests will be also reported on the Illinois School Report Card in the fall. We will review state tests results, along with other information to help us improve our school program. If you have any questions about the administration of these assessments, please contact your child’s principal.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, March 15. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

Students are invited to attend the third annual Teen Job & Volunteer Fair, sponsored by the Elmhurst Commission on Youth and its partnering agencies – District 205, the Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst Public Library, YMCA, Elmhurst Junior Women’s Club and the Kiwanis of Elmhurst. The Fair will be held in the York High School Commons, 355 E. St. Charles Road, on Thursday, March 23 from 3 to 6 PM. Students need not register to attend the Fair.

It is with great excitement that York Community High School presents the most beloved Broadway Musical, West Side Story, on the evenings of April 27- 29, with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 30.

Tickets for West Side Story have sold out.

WAITLIST INFORMATION:

Although tickets are completely sold out we do anticipate some tickets to become available on the days of the shows. We can not anticipate who's plans might change between now and the performances. We will have a Waitlist for each show. Here are the details:

Performances: April 27 28, 29th (7:30 pm Start Time)

Where: York High School - Waitlist Table outside Baker Auditorium. You must come in person to sign in for the waitlist. NO EMAIL REQUESTS

When: Waitlist sign in will start at 6:00pm

Performance: April 30th (2:00 pm Start Time)

Where: York High School - Waitlist Table outside Baker Auditorium. You must come in person to sign in for the waitlist. NO EMAIL REQUESTS

When: Waitlist sign in will start at 12:30pm

All waitlist tickets will be given on a first come first serve basis. Our goal is to seat as many patrons as possible for each show.

"Starring a cast of 72 and an orchestra of 28, with an incredible technical crew, this is a musical not to be missed. Staying true to the original choreography of Jerome Robbins and honoring the struggles of New York City, West Side Story is a true inspiration," said Director Rebecca Marianetti.

The York High School Key Club is again sponsoring a “Soles for Kids” shoe drive and is asking for your support and assistance with this endeavor. Through the generosity of District 205 families, they have successfully collected over 8,000 pairs of shoes over the past six years. The drive will begin on Monday, March 6th and conclude on Friday, May 12th. Look for collection bins in our school foyers. Soles for Kids is a charity organization that collects gently used shoes and sends them to needy children and adults in Africa, as well as to Indian Reservations in the United States.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

At its February 28 meeting, the Board of Education approved the 2017-18 school year calendar, which includes parent-teacher conference dates/times; student late arrival dates/times; and quarter/trimesters/semesters. It is posted at www.elmhurst205.org/events_calendar.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Tickets are selling fast to The Future is Now, the 2017 D205 Foundation Gala to be held on Saturday, March 11, at The Hyatt Lodge on McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook. The event features great food and drink, as well as entertaining fundraising games and raffles. The auctions feature a York student parking pass, great tickets to Cubs, Hawks, Bulls and Bears games, signed merchandise by pro athletes (Arrieta, Crawford, Butler and more), multiple concert tickets, tasting events at Cuvee and Red Arrow, an in-home cooking class for 16, a Napa Valley trip, $2000 credit for orthodontic treatment and other amazing items.

Support future ready learning while having a great time for a good cause! Cost is $175 per person and space is limited; visit www.elmhurst205.org/2017gala to learn more and purchase tickets.

Another way to participate, even if you can't attend the Gala, is to purchase a "Golden Raffle Ticket" for $100. Only 100 tickets are being sold and the winner will get to choose one of the following trips: 4-night stay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Sam Adams Boston VIP Tour, or a 3-Nights Lake Tahoe Ski Getaway - airfare for two included. To purchase a ticket, please contact Foundation Executive Director Lisa Fanelli at lfanelli@elmhurst205.org or 630-617-2328.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The PTA Council will once again be holding its annual Fannie May candy sale which helps fund scholarships for York High School seniors. Be on the lookout for the sales catalog and order form, which will be coming home in your children’s backpack soon! Order forms and checks made payable to Elmhurst PTA Council will be due to the school office or can be returned to Megan Winton, 577 W. Comstock, Elmhurst, by March 2nd. Candy orders will be delivered to your door on April 3rd, just in time for Easter.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Everyday Leadership: Celebrating the Simple Actions That Improve Each Other's Lives, a presentation by Drew Dudley, will take place tonight, February 22, beginning at 7:00 PM at the College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. Glen Ellyn, 60137. The event is sponsored by the Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families.

Drew Dudley is a leadership educator recognized as one of the most dynamic keynote speakers in the world. He inspires individuals to create “cultures of everyday leadership" moments of powerful impact and growth that are fostered, acknowledged, and rewarded through daily acts of generosity.

His wildly popular TED talk was voted “one of the 15 most inspirational TED talks of all time” and named by TIME as one of its “seven speeches that will make you a better leader." Drew Dudley helps us understand leadership in a nuanced, practical, and hopeful way.

He highlights the barriers to leadership and, with hope, humor, and optimism, focuses on ways in which they can be overcome. This is world-class storytelling with practical insights on how to develop and recognize leadership, of which we are all capable—in ourselves, our families, and our communities. He has worked with hundreds of universities and corporations worldwide to help individuals move to purposeful action, empowering people to create the future they desire and add value to their lives and to the lives of others.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Getting dressed up to attend a high school prom or dance can be a big deal. Sometimes, the cost of formal wear can be overwhelming. The York High School PTSA (Parent/Teacher/Student Association) invites young ladies to attend the “Say Yes to the Prom Dress” event at the sixth annual prom dress and accessory giveaway on Sunday, March 19, 2017, from 1 to 3 PM in the York High School Commons, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst.

Girls ages 13 to 18 can select from more than 400 gently-used dresses in a variety of styles and sizes. Dress shoes, purses, jewelry and unopened makeup items are also available. Dresses are FREE, but limited to one (1) dress per customer. The event is open to the public and all Chicago and Western Suburban High School girls are welcome.

It’s not too late to clean out your closets and donate new or gently used long and short party dresses from homecomings, proms, graduations, weddings and other bygone events. Dressy shoes, purses, jewelry and unopened makeup also accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the York Attendance Office and/or at 300 S. Fair Avenue, in Elmhurst. Contact Marie Gall at tmkgall@gmail.com or 773.595.9158 with questions.

All students who attend school in Elmhurst, public or private, are welcome to participate with the completion and submission of a signed permission slip and tournament fee of $3.00. All participants will receive a certificate; the top four in each category

The registration deadline is Wednesday, March 8th. The 21st annual Student Chess Tournament will be held on Tuesday, March 14th, beginning at 6:00 PM in the York High School Commons, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Students will compete in the following six categories: 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6-8th grade and high school. ribbons receive; and the tournament champions receive a trophy.

The annual Student Chess Tournament is organized by parent volunteers, many of whom coach chess clubs at their children’s schools. Contestants will compete within the rules, playing five timed matches each. Volunteer judging is performed by independent chess experts who are brought in for this event. Last year, over 200 students participated in the tournament.

Snacks and drinks will be donated and provided. Pizza will be sold during the tournament.

Interested families may contact their child’s school chess club leader for the permission slips and rules. Questions may be directed to Chris Khayat at 630-290-1504 (cell) or khayats@yahoo.com.

Know an outstanding youth volunteer? The City of Elmhurst’s Commission on Youth is currently seeking nominees for its annual Exemplary Youth Service Awards, the presentation of which will take place on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Sandburg Middle School. Nominations are being accepted for young volunteers who reside within Elmhurst District 205 boundaries or attend an Elmhurst school.

To receive a paper nomination form, call the City of Elmhurst at 630-530-3010 or visit www.elmhurst.org/1291/Exemplary-Youth-Service-Award to access the online form. Nominees must be students in grades K-12; service must be voluntary and unpaid. Nominations must be received by Friday March 10, 2017. Award winners will be personally congratulated by the Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley, with a reception following the program. For more information, contact Youth Commission Chair Jackie Tamer at jackietamer@gmail.com.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

There will be an Open House of the Lincoln School Model Classroom (Mrs. Dunn’s 3rd grade) on Wednesday, February 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM (just prior to Lincoln’s STEaM Fest event). All are invited to the Model Classroom Open House. To view a short video of this future-ready classroom, which is sponsored by the District 205 Foundation, please click here.

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, February 15. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

With a theme of The Future is Now, the 2017 D205 Foundation Gala will be held on Saturday, March 11, at The Hyatt Lodge on McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook. Join a community of friends ready to support a learning revolution by raising funds that will help promote future ready learning and innovation in Elmhurst Public Schools. The event promises to be an elegant and entertaining evening featuring a plated dinner, beverages, raffles, awesome mini and live auctions, as well as an opportunity to hear about new trends in learning spaces and education. Cost is $175 per person and space is limited; visit www.elmhurst205.org/2017gala to learn more and purchase tickets.

Another way to participate, even if you can't attend the Gala, is to purchase a "Golden Raffle Ticket" for $100. Only 100 tickets are being sold and the winner will get to chose one of the following trips: 4-nights stay in Puntacana, Dominican Republic, Sam Adams Boston VIP Tour, or a 3-Nights Lake Tahoe Ski Getaway - airfare for two included. To purchase a raffle ticket, please email Pam Hamil at pjhamil@gmail.com.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Come meet with Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer in an informal setting. This year’s “Coffee With the Superintendent” opportunities are again being organized by the PTA Council and are open to any interested District 205 parent or community resident. There will be no agenda during the approximate one-hour conversation. The third coffee will be held on Monday February 13th at 1:30 PM hosted by Fischer Elementary School, 888 N. Wilson, Elmhurst.

The final Superintendent Coffee will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM, hosted by Jefferson Elementary School.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The City of Elmhurst is now hiring Part-time School Crossing Guards. Open positions are available for Regular and Relief Crossing Guards during the 2016-17 school year. Lead a safe environment for our children and become a staff member of the Elmhurst Police Department.

The safety of our school children is a concern for the City of Elmhurst, District 205 school personnel, all parents and citizens. Training and safety equipment are provided. Applications may be obtained at the Elmhurst Police Department, 125 E. First St, Elmhurst, IL or interested candidates may apply online at this link. Offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screen/physical. The City of Elmhurst is an equal opportunity employer.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The York High School Athletic Boosters' Annual Green Scene is Saturday, February 25, from 7 PM to 1 AM at Fitz’s Spare Keys. This year’s Green Scene is a casual night of fun, friends, silent and live auctions, raffles, bowling and pool. You can bowl or play pool with your favorite York coach. Auction items include York parking passes, graduation tickets and preferred parking for graduation.

Ticket price includes entrance, light buffet and fun. Tickets are available for purchase at http://york.elmhurst205.org/yboosters. If you would like to contribute a prize, please contact mariannmapes@yahoo.com. In 2015-2016, the Boosters gave nearly $70,000 to York HS Athletics. They have supported York students in every sport for over 35 years.

York High School Summer School dates and academic course offerings have now been set. Open registration began on Friday, February 3,and ends on June 7. Session I will run Monday through Thursday from June 12 – 29 (with June 30 being an emergency day); Session II will run from July 5 – July 21 (with July 21 an emergency day). See Summer School website for details. Academic Course registration begins here. Registration information is posted on the Summer School page of the York High School website.

On Tuesday evening, January 24, the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board of Education approved the appointment of three new elementary principals who will serve Emerson, Jackson and Lincoln Schools in 2017-18. All three will begin work in District 205 on July 1, 2017.

Michelle Thompson will be taking the helm at Emerson Elementary School when Principal Beth Gregor retires at the end of June. Ms. Thompson comes to Elmhurst from Schaumburg District 54, where she has served as a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal over the last 12 years. For the last four years, she has served as assistant principal at both Enders-Salk Elementary School and the D54 MacArthur International Spanish Academy. She has DuFour training in Professional Learning Communities and experience in a Spanish Language Academy school. She has also served as an adjunct professor for National Louis University.

"I am very excited and honored to be joining District 205 and the team at Emerson! I have heard great things about the staff, students and community, and I look forward to working together to continue a tradition of excellence," said Ms. Thompson. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University, a Master of Education degree in Language and Literacy from National Louis University, a General Administrative endorsement from Roosevelt University and will complete her doctorate in Reading and Language from National Louis University this June.

"Michelle’s expertise in reading and language will be a valuable asset in supporting the District's commitment to 21st Century literacy for all students. She has specific expertise in implementing and supporting professional learning communities and extensive background as an instructional coach. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team," noted District 205 Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer.

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Christine Trendel will be heading up Jackson Elementary School next fall. She comes to Elmhurst from Naperville District 203, where she has served for three years as the assistant principal of the highly diverse Mill Street Elementary School. She has served as the point person on special education issues and has direct experience with a Spanish dual language program.

Previously, she was a third and fourth grade teacher in Arlington Heights District 25 for four years, where she also worked as an assistant principal. She was the District’s Teaching and Learning Facilitator for five years, where she led professional development for teachers and administrators. “I am honored and excited to be appointed principal at Jackson Elementary School. I am looking forward to developing positive relationships with each parent and staff member. Working in partnership, I am confident that all students will be challenged, nurtured, and motivated to be innovative learners and leaders,” said Ms. Trendel.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish Teaching from the University of Illinois, Champaign; a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University and a General Administrative endorsement from Roosevelt University. "Christine is a natural leader. She has experience with diverse learning populations, a deep understanding of instruction and the effective use of data, and demonstrated success working with students with special needs. Her combination of building and district-level experience will be invaluable in helping us manage the change process. She is the right person at the right time, and we are lucky to have her," said Dr. Moyer.

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Jennifer Barnabee will lead Lincoln Elementary School in 2017-18.

She comes to Elmhurst from Barrington District 220, where she has served as the principal at Countryside Elementary School for the past two years, leading Countryside to Blue Ribbon status. She was previously the Director of Gifted Programming (K-12) in Barrington, where she was charged with implementing a dual language Chinese immersion program (K-5). She was also named a 2016 Apple Distinguished Educator for using technology to transform teaching. Ms. Barnabee has four total years of principal experience and has previous experience as a literacy coach, third and sixth grade teacher.

“Serving children and their families is my life! As a new member of the Lincoln team I look forward to working with the staff, students, families, and community. Together we will achieve greatness!” she said. Ms. Barnabee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Early Childhood, from Stetson University in Florida; a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University and a reading specialist master’s degree from St. Xavier University. She also holds a Middle School endorsement from Roosevelt University and a General Administrative endorsement from Aurora University. "Jennifer successfully led a school to Blue Ribbon status and has a strong background in literacy and gifted education. She has expertise in a wide array of areas and is particularly strong in supporting teachers with their classroom instructional practices. She is regularly in classrooms with students and teachers, where the action is. Her experience is a welcome addition to our leadership team. People will quickly appreciate her genuine kindness and ability to build positive relationships with staff and parents," Dr. Moyer noted.

On Thursday, January 26, at 1:37 PM, Elmhurst Firefighters were dispatched to 351 N. York Street (VIP Occasions bridal shop) for a structural fire. Firefighters from multiple municipalities responded to the extra alarm fire, the cause of which is still under investigation. Elmhurst firemen were on the scene late into the evening keeping an eye on the smouldering rubble. York Road between Lake Street and North Avenue was closed for hours. Several side streets east and west of the area were also closed for the placement of fire equipment. These streets included:
Grantley Ave. between York St. and Emroy Ave.
Columbia Ave. between York and Emroy Ave.
Grantley Ave. between York and Larch Ave.
Motorists experienced delays and alternative routes were recommended to avoid this area. After-school transportation of students was also impacted.

Elmhurst Police and District 205 take serious measures to ensure the safety of all Elmhurst students through constant communication and ongoing support. The partnership between both entities involves the ongoing commitment to remain connected and proactive before, during, and after all incidents that involve District 205 students.

Support includes Elmhurst Police presence at York High School at all times. School Resource Officers (SROs) are full-time police officers that work as a constant liaison between the Elmhurst Police and District 205 School Administration. These officers are trained to handle issues that involve youth. The officers are not only stationed at York High School, but have an ongoing presence at all District 205 Schools. Elmhurst Police and District 205 Administration also meet regularly for disaster preparedness training.

In response to incorrect speculations on social media and concerning questions and comments to both entities regarding an off-campus incident involving a York High School student, both District 205 and Elmhurst Police have emphasized that the safety of York High School students has in no way been compromised and York High school remains a safe and positive learning environment for its students.

"We enjoy a terrific relationship with the Elmhurst Police Department, and that could not have been more apparent than in the last couple of days. Thanks to the exceptional work and collaboration of our police officers and school administrators, there was no time when the safety of District 205 students or employees was compromised,” stated District 205 Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer. “Learning has continued uninterrupted. I personally walked through many classrooms this morning and found our students to be safe, comfortable, engaged, and learning. In addition, our teachers were doing their usual exceptional job. I would also like to extend thanks to the many parents who have reached out to us in support of our efforts."

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The following message was sent to Parents and Community Members from York High School Principal Erin DeLuga:I wanted to reach out to assure you that the instructional school day has proceeded as planned, both yesterday and today. Our students continue to be safe and secure in a thriving and uninterrupted learning environment.

The City of Elmhurst released a press statement this morning that is available on the District homepage, as well as at this link. A joint statement from the Elmhurst Police and District 205 Administration will be forthcoming later this afternoon.

The following release was issued late this morning by the City of Elmhurst Police Department:

The City of Elmhurst is continuing to work with District 205 in response to an off-campus incident that occurred on Monday, January 23rd, which involved a student from York High School. Elmhurst Police have increased their public safety presence at the school due to the concerns of parents and students, and will continue to work closely with District 205 Administration. The juvenile arrested in the January 23rd off-campus incident is not on the York High School campus.

“As we monitor social media and District 205 Quick Tips we understand the concerns of the parents and students,” states Chief of Police, Michael Ruth. “We will continue to remain present at York High School and will closely monitor all information received by the school, parents, and the community.”

District 205 Administration and Elmhurst Police continue to investigate social media posts related to this incident. District 205 is addressing this with individual students as needed. Parents should take this opportunity to educate their children about inappropriate comments and use of social media sites.

The safety of students remains the priority of the Elmhurst Police Department and District 205. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Elmhurst Police Department.

In response to continued student and parent concerns related to on-going safety at York High School, based on the previously reported off-campus events of Monday evening, please know that York and District 205 administrators have been working proactively, aggressively and in full cooperation with the Elmhurst Police Department to address those concerns.

We understand that the kid and adult rumor mills are running rampant. Both police and school officials are following up on D205 Quick Tips that have been shared and are taking them seriously. At the same time, measures have been put in place to ensure student and staff safety. We are confident that the bases are covered; otherwise, we would not be holding school today, Wednesday, January 25.

There was a tremendous presence of staff and police at York and beyond yesterday. That presence will continue today. We understand that every family must make the right decision for their student’s comfort. We greatly appreciate the partnership between home, school and community to provide the best support possible for our kids.

Dr. David Moyer
Superintendent of Schools

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

On the evening of January 23, the District received anonymous tips through the District's Quick Tip 205 system regarding a potential threat by a student. Following an incident off campus, the student was taken into police custody last night. The York administration worked closely with the Elmhurst Police Department throughout the evening and found no credible threat to the school or our students. The administration and the police continue to monitor the situation.

An email message was sent to all York parents from Principal Erin DeLuga this morning, alerting them of the situation, and an announcement was made to the students, letting them know that everything was under control and that they were safe.

I want to assure our District 205 parents that at no time today was the safety of any student at risk. In fact, the administration and police are taking extra precautions to reassure students across the District by providing increased visibility around the schools. This is now a police matter which will be handled by legal authorities.

Dr. David Moyer
Superintendent of Schools

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Our District 205 school community recently took part in an online learning/sharing process called Thoughtexchange. This was part of a larger, on-going conversation within the District called Focus 205. Through this community engagement program, we have been exploring options that will support educational priorities in Elmhurst for many years to come.

Over 1,560 people contributed to the conversation, sharing more than 2,400 thoughts. The District has reviewed these thoughts and priorities and now wants to share the results with you.

Your continued input will be used to identify community priorities, inform the Board of Education and guide the planning for the future of Elmhurst District 205.

Please plan to join us for the next Focus 205 meeting on Wednesday, February 1, from 7 to 9 PM in the York High School Commons. Again, thank you for contributing to the success of our schools and District 205. Your participation in the process is invaluable!

Kara Caforio and John MorrisseyFocus 205 Community Engagement Co-Chairs

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Effective parenting promotes age-appropriate problem-solving. The coping skills that enable problem-solving unfold in normal developmental cycles. At each stage of a child’s development, new challenges create struggle that ignites new abilities. Sometimes, this growth enables the child to connect more successfully with others. Other times, kids are empowered to explore and learn. As they test their limits, an increased capacity for self-control evolves. As they move toward adolescence, these functions support independence and autonomy.

Sponsored by the Churchville Middle School Positive Family Support Program, this series of workshops are designed to help parents understand these normal developmental cycles and respond effectively to their children’s struggles. The first two workshops were held in January and February on the topics of coping skills and problem-solving skills. One session remains:

Tuesday, March 14; 6-7pm – “Parenting Strategies” – Based on feedback from the first two sessions, the presenters will facilitate role-play education to teach and model parenting strategies to situation-based challenges.

The presentations take place at Churchville Middle School in the MediaScape Lab, 155 Victory Parkway, Elmhurst and all are welcome. They are led by Katie McDougall and Steve Ritter, both Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Ms. McDougall is a former school social worker and Mr. Ritter is the Managing Director of the Midwest Institute & Center for Workplace Innovation. For further details, please click on the flyer below or contact Churchville Social Worker Megan McCarthy at 630-617-2244 or mmccarthy@elmhurst205.org.

Plan to attend Focus 205 Community Engagement Session #6, Vision for the Future, scheduled for Wednesday, February 1, from 7 to 9 PM in the York High School Commons. Results of the fall Thoughtexchange survey will be shared, along with facility scenarios to address District 205's needs for the next 50 years, including a discussion of Lincoln and Field elementary schools, all-day kindergarten and increased STEM opportunities for our students. RSVPs appreciated, but not required. Childcare available for ages 3-12.

Through the Focus 205 series of meetings, community members have the opportunity to help shape the direction of the District by providing input regarding key issues that need to be addressed. Only with diverse and informed voices can an effective master plan for our District be created, implemented and executed. For full details please, visit www.focus205.org.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, January 25. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

Enrollment for 2017-18 incoming kindergarteners and first grade students new to Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM and on Wednesday, February 8, from 12:30 to 3:00 PM at the school of attendance serving their home address. On Thursday, February 9, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, enrollment will only be offered at Conrad Fischer School (for Fischer students) and at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York (serving all District 205 elementary schools).

Students must be five years old on or before September 1, 2017, to be enrolled in kindergarten. (The student’s original birth certificate must be submitted as proof.) During the February enrollment, parents/guardians must present three proofs of residency. Additionally, a photo I.D. of the person enrolling the student must be produced for identification purposes.

For a complete list of enrollment procedures, acceptable proofs of residency and additional forms, please see the New Student Enrollment page linked from the District 205 homepage. Parents may contact the District 205 Center at 630-617-4783 to obtain the name and location of the elementary school that serves their home address.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The District 205 Foundation’s 2016-2017 Thiems Grant application is now available and may be accessed at this link. Since 1990, 596 educational grants totaling over $1.4 million have been awarded through the Thiems Grant Program. Teachers, students, administrators, parents or community members in District 205 are eligible to apply. Requested programs, projects, or instructional resources should enhance the educational experience of students, be clearly in support of and help to deliver relevant curriculum, and ideally demonstrate creativity and innovation.

Applications that contain technology or media components must include a technology review form. Please note the procedure and additional deadlines that are outlined in the application guidelines. All applications are due February 8, 2017 and recipients will be announced in the spring.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Come meet with Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer in an informal setting. This year’s “Coffee With the Superintendent” opportunities are again being organized by the PTA Council and are open to any interested District 205 parent or community resident. There will be no agenda during the approximate one-hour conversation. The second coffee will be held on Wednesday, January 25 at 10:00 AM hosted by Jackson Elementary School, 925 S. Swain Avenue, Elmhurst.

Superintendent Coffees will also be held on Monday, February 13 at 1:30 PM, hosted by Fischer Elementary School, and Wednesday, April 19 at 10:00 AM, hosted by Jefferson Elementary School.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

As 2016 winds down, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 celebrates many positive accomplishments. A small sample includes the addition of instructional coaches, a more rigorous and engaging English Language Arts curriculum, a record composite ACT score (24.7), York High School's inclusion as one of 433 districts in the United States and Canada on the AP Honor Roll, expansion of 1:1 learning to grades four and five utilizing Chromebooks, and a plethora of student successes in state and national competitions.

In 2017, there is much to look forward to including important instructional enhancements such as an improved math curriculum, implementation of recommendations for improvement at the middle school level, and the development of a long-range master plan to address many of the pressing needs across the District.

In between, I wish you all the best for a wonderful and safe Holiday Season and a happy New Year!

Thirty-three York Community High School students and recent graduates have earned National Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar status in recognition of their exceptional achievement on last May’s AP Exams. An additional 163 were honored as an AP Scholar with Distinction, while another 52 were honored as an AP Scholar with Honors. In addition, 112 were named AP Scholars. A total of 327 Scholars earned an average score of 4.09 (out of a possible 5.0) on a total of 1,928 exams.

Those qualifying for the National AP Scholar award earned an average score of 4 or higher on all AP Exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more of these exams.

Those qualifying for the AP Scholar with Distinction award earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of these exams. The average score of this group of 163 York students was 4.25 on a total of 1,180 exams.

AP Scholar with Honors recognition is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 4 or more of these exams. The average score of the 52 York students so honored was 3.70 on a total of 260 exams.

AP Scholar status is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams. The average score of the 112 York students so recognized was 3.51 on 412 exams.

"It is always an honor to celebrate the accomplishments of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. David Moyer. “We have students who excel in a wide variety of ways, and we value them all. Receiving AP Scholar recognition is one especially challenging academic feat, and we are very proud of those who have earned this status.”

Founded in 1900, the College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Its Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Elmhurst District 205 has again been named to the College Board’s 7th annual AP District Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes 433 school districts in the U.S. and Canada that have increased access to AP coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Only 21 school districts in Illinois were so honored.

“The administration and staff are so very proud of our students earning such honorable status. Our students, across the board, work so hard to secure academic and personal success. These honored students have successfully accomplished extremely rigorous, arduous, and collegiate level work bringing incredible recognition to themselves, their families, our school, our district, and the entire community. We celebrate their incredible accomplishment!” said York Community High School’s Principal, Erin DeLuga.

This is the fourth time that District 205 has been named to this prestigious list (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016). Inclusion on the 2017 list is based on the following four criteria:

A thorough examination of three years of AP data, from 2014 to 2016

Increase in participation in/access to AP by at least 6% in medium districts and 11% in small districts

A steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native students

Performance levels maintained or improved when comparing the percentage of students in 2016 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2014, or the school has already attained a performance level in which more than 70% of the AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.

The number of York students taking AP exams increased from 727 in 2014 to 832 in 2016.

"We are excited for this incredible honor that speaks to all of the hard work that our students and teachers put in day in and day out. Not only are our kids achieving at high levels, more and more students are accessing York's AP classes and excelling in them. We can't thank our community enough for consistently supporting our students and programs as we continue to help prepare students for their futures,” said Ryan Doherty, York Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction.

Nationally recognized as the highest standard of academic excellence, the Advanced Placement Program provides students with the opportunity to pursue college-level studies and earn college credit while still in high school. AP is accepted by more than 3,800 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced standing or both, on a basis of successful AP Exam scores. But most importantly, taking AP courses demonstrates to college admission officers that students have attempted the most rigorous curriculum possible – an indication that they can manage a heavy workload in college.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Following the winter holidays, regular hours of operation at the Elmhurst School District 205 Administrative Center will resume on Tuesday, January 3. Students and 10-month employees, however, are still on winter break. Classes will resume on Monday, January 9.

On Friday, December 16, a blown coil at Churchville Middle School caused some flooding. Sixth graders were out of the building on a field trip to Chicago at the time, so there was opportunity to move other students and keep the educational day going. Those same sixth grade students were caught in traffic coming back from the city. The delayed buses then caused a back-up for elementary student pick-up.

In addition, a train was stopped on the St. Charles Road tracks for about half an hour, just as York High School was dismissing. This also caused buses to be delayed in picking up middle and elementary students and delivering them home. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank parents for their patience. Looks like it's going to be a long winter!

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Each year since 2006, James McHugh Construction Company has asked District 205 elementary school students to design a holiday construction card which McHugh uses for the cover of their annual holiday card. This is completely voluntary project.

The school with the winning artwork always receives a $500 check from McHugh and the winning artist is also honored by McHugh Vice President Dave Bartolai (a D205 Alum). The winner receives copies of his/her card and a personalized hardhat, along with a few other cool prizes, and the class receives goodies as well.

This year, Hawthorne fifth grader Gavin Wasco, son of Christopher and Susan Wasco, drew the winning design. His card/video from McHugh’s visit to Hawthorne is posted below.

On Tuesday, December 13, the Elmhurst Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Mark A. Cohen as the new Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Growth for District 205. He will begin his duties July 1, 2017.

Dr. Cohen comes to Elmhurst from Lincoln-Way High School District 210, where he has served for over 17 years as a science teacher, science department chair, dean of students, assistant principal and principal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Illinois State University, a master’s in educational administration from Governor’s State University and a doctorate in administration and supervision from Loyola University, Chicago.

“I am incredibly excited to become a part of the Elmhurst 205 family. The Elmhurst schools are well known for their academic intensity and extracurricular excellence. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the students, staff, and the leadership team in such a fine district. I look forward to serving the children of Elmhurst in order to help provide an educational experience that is second to none,” said Dr. Cohen.

"Mark is a man of the highest integrity who comes highly recommended. We are pleased to welcome him to Elmhurst. He is known first and foremost as a 'students-first' administrator. He is a relationship-builder and strong communicator. He will be a great addition to our District 205 team," noted Superintendent Dr. David Moyer.

A newly created position, the duties of the Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Growth are as follows:

Supports school improvement work at the secondary grade level

Supervise and evaluate the STEM Coordinator

Oversee student activities EC-12

Serve as a liaison between the Technology and Learning and Teaching Departments

Serve as a liaison between and among Learning and Teaching, Principals, and the Director of Research and Assessment

Monitor 6-12 curriculum development and implementation and work with Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Leadership Development to ensure proper vertical alignment of curriculum

Coordinate and increase access to grants; work with the York principal to develop career pathways and credentialing; community partnerships; supervise the growth of programs such as incubators, Robotics, Lego League, and other functions related to innovation; and ensure equity and access to this programming throughout the District

Elmhurst District 205 is pleased to announce that 159 York Community High School students from the graduating class of 2017 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. This prestigious recognition, given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), honors the academic achievements of approximately 19,300 high school students from across the state this year. They join the ranks of thousands of top Illinois students honored as State Scholars since the designation began in 1958.

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from 765 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school guidance counselors work with ISAC to determine the winners.

While this prestigious recognition does not include a monetary prize, recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships, in addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. The FAFSA determines students’ eligibility for federal and state aid, including Illinois’ need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, as well as for many forms of aid offered through colleges.

Created in 1957, ISAC provides postsecondary students of all ages and backgrounds with resources and support to pursue higher education. ISAC offers free financial aid and college access events to assist students and families with the college-going process. Students can also visit the ISAC Student Portal for college planning, financial aid and financial literacy information and free tools, as well as information on how to contact the ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates who act as near-peer mentors, for one-on-one assistance and mentoring. Students can also get answers to their college-going and financial aid questions sent directly to their phones by signing up for ISAC College Q&A, ISAC’s free text messaging service. Visit the ISAC Student Portal for more information at www.isac.org/studentportal.

With snow in the forecast, now is the time to remind yourself of the various ways District 205 announces school closings and late start openings resulting from inclement weather. (And it’s also the time to think about childcare plans.) A late start or school closing announcement is made by 5:45 AM via the following channels:

• A message is recorded on the District 205 Center’s telephone line at (630) 617-2502 for English and (630) 617-2506 for Spanish.

• Notification is sent to the Emergency Closing Center, which broadcasts such information on WGN-AM (720), WBBM-AM (780), and CBS-TV (2), NBC-TV (5), ABC-TV (7), WGN-TV (9), FOX-TV, and CLTV cable. Visit the .web site at http://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com

On a late start schedule day, buses will arrive at the usual pick-up points two hours later than their regularly-scheduled time. The late start schedule provides the flexibility to begin school two hours later than normal, allowing time for roads to be cleared and temperatures to rise. This alternative eliminates a situation where severe weather in the early morning leads to a decision to close schools for an entire day when it is not warranted.regularly-scheduled time. Students who walk or drive to school should not arrive prior to two hours before their regular drop-off times. In the event a late start schedule is activated, class periods will be shortened, but dismissal times will not change.

Be sure to check out the Emergency Closings page of the District 205 website for more details.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is Wednesday, December 14. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

Audience: Homepage, Emerson Elementary School and Hawthorne Elementary School

The York High School and Hawthorne Elementary ECO Clubs, along with the Emerson Earth Ambassadors, are collecting broken or old Italian mini lights, traditional rope lights, LED lights from any holiday are accepted, along with extension and appliance cords, as well as computer cables. All may be dropped off in bins located in the lobbies of the “A” and “C” buildings at York or at Emerson and Hawthorne Schools. The program runs now through the end of January. All proceeds will benefit SCARCE. Contact York ECO Club sponsor Bob Blaus for more information atbblaus@elmhurst205.org.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Audience: Homepage, Bryan Middle School, Sandburg Middle School and York Community High School

The Elmhurst Commission on Youth, along with the District 205 PTA Council and D205 Foundation, welcomed former NBA player Chris Herren to a community event on Tuesday, November 29 in the York High School Campbell Gym. On November 30, he presented to students and staff during an all-school assembly. Mr. Herren shared his story of overcoming drug addiction and finding the strength to define himself as a sober man. He has spoken to students and parents across the nation about healthy, real-life strategies for handling the pressures faced by today’s teenagers.

During the evening presentation, which was attended by nearly 900 people, Mr. Herren made the following points:

For an addict, it’s not about your worst day; it’s about your first day – he emphasized over and over that the path to addiction begins with small compromises that can ultimately grow into full-blown addiction.

The first page of any addict’s story begins with using alcohol and/or weed. Mr. Herren abused alcohol, cocaine, prescription drugs and heroin. He drank vodka to help him “forget” that he was disappointing his family, his fans and himself. His opioid (oxycodone) use became so expensive that he turned to heroin, which was cheaper and easier to obtain.

But he paid an even higher price, considering that his addiction eventually led him to lose a lucrative and valued career playing professional basketball with the Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics and an Italian team that recruited him to play in Europe. In high school and college, he was one of the most up-and-coming young hoop stars many had ever seen. He was little Fall River, Massachusetts’ hometown hero who fell from grace and eventually became completely disgraced.

He almost lost his family on multiple occasions, saying “My wife and I knew each other since we were 12 years old. I broke her heart a million times.” More than once, he thought about ending his life. An addictions counselor advised him to leave his family and never go back, to urge his wife to tell their children that he had died in a car accident.

That would have been easy to believe. Four times he overdosed. He was brought back to life several times with the administration of Narcan, which is known as the opiate antidote. Once, he could feel himself suffering the effects of an overdose and drove his car out of his hometown, not wanting to be found there, only to crash into a fence outside a cemetery with the needle still hanging out of his arm.

“The EMTs pronounced me dead. I was dead for 30 seconds. A police officer grabbed me by the throat, threw me down on the gurney and brought me back. That police officer, who I went to high school with, saved my life because the EMTs had pronounced me dead and were willing to walk away."

He said he is most proud of being a good father, the same father, to his kids every day for more than eight years, since his sobriety date of August 1, 2008. He challenged parents in the audience to “let your kids get to know you. They are dying to know you.”

He called out parents who say, “It’s only a little alcohol or weed” and turn a blind eye. He said parents “hover” over their kids academically, athletically, musically, but drop the ball when it comes to managing their kids’ social connections. “They don’t really need you at their basketball/soccer/football game. But they do need you to be there for them on Friday night when they are being pressured to drink from a red Solo cup in somebody’s basement.”

He noted that many parents are quick to blame others for their children’s bad choices. “You need to ask them why – why are they drinking and taking drugs? Why are they not comfortable being themselves? Get at the root of the problem.”

“And to the kids who are choosing not to drink and smoke…we don’t give them enough credit. They are often ostracized and made fun of by their peers, yet they are the ones courageous enough to be themselves.”

He told a story about being talked into trying cocaine by his roommate the roommates’ girlfriend on his first day at Boston College. After his a young girl in the audience asked him what he would do if he had the chance to do that day over again, to which he answered, “I wouldn’t drink my father’s beer at 14 years old. You see, I was already on that path.” speechFirst day, not the worst day.

His father was/is an alcoholic and his parents fought a lot. “I used to hide in my bed and pray for it to stop.” Eventually, his mother divorced his father. She died at an early age, but not before she witnessed his athletic success and his downfall due to addiction. With no insurance, no income and no hope, it was a high school friend of his mother’s, a nurse, who saved his life by calling various treatment programs and getting him into rehab at the age of 32. “Your mother is speaking to me; she is asking me to do for you what she cannot,” said the friend. He had also gone to rehab at the age of 21 but continued to battle addiction for the next 11 years, during which time he also became the father of three children.

A man asked him if he received more breaks and was given more chances, due to his high-profile status. “More chances and more torture, because it just prolonged the process of my hitting bottom,” Herren said.

He stays clean by attending 12 step meetings daily, by surrounding himself with healthy people who care about him and “would call me out if I strayed” and through his faith. A former altar boy who fought his mother about being one, it was the prayers he learned as a child that came flooding back to him when he rock-bottom in June of 2008. That day, he fell on his knees and prayed those prayers. Chris Herren has been praying ever since.

Through the Herren Project (THP), Chris gives hope to others. The Herren Project website says: Taking the first step in the road to recovery can be difficult. The Herren Project can assist you with navigating quality treatment programs, facilities and transitional care solutions.

The mission of THP is to provide assistance in taking the first steps toward recovery and a life of sobriety, educational programs and resources to increase awareness on the signs of addiction and bring hope for a better tomorrow.THP goals are to:

Positively impact the lives of those suffering with addiction by providing effective treatment navigation.

Educate youth and at-risk populations on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and provide techniques to handle pressure within their lives, their community or their family situation.

Provide scholarships to programs, clinics and camps to increase self-confidence, motivation and develop a firm foundation on which to build success.

Note: All quotes are paraphrases, with the exception of “It’s about the first day, not the worst day.”

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Looking for York Duke Apparel for holiday gifts? Here is your chance for easy shopping! Once a year, the York Athletic Boosters brings the entire inventory of York Apparel from the bookstore to the vestibule of Door 1 at York High School for easy shopping for you. No ID needed to get to the sale on this day only. It doesn’t get any easier than this to browse through our complete inventory of York apparel. This will be everything the bookstore offers – traditional hoodies, sweats, T-shirts, spirit jerseys, cozy flannel pants, hats, gloves, socks, house flags and more. Great gifts for any age –current students or future Dukes. Thursday, December 15th from 11:00-2:30pm and 7-8:30pm at Door #1, York Academic Bldg (west bldg)– Just come to York and you will see our signs!

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Attention patrons of the arts and parents: the Show Time! Fine Arts Schedule for York High School, as well as Bryan, Churchville and Sandburg Middle Schools, is now posted on the District 205 website. Be sure to check out all of the holiday concerts and events taking place in December! Art, theatre and musical events are featured, along with information on obtaining tickets. Those with existing VIP (Very Important Patron) cards may attend any fine arts program for free. If you are 60 or older and would like to receive a VIP card, please contact the Office of Communications at 630-941-4719.

The home opener for York's Special Olympics basketball team is December 2. The game begins at 4:30 PM in the Campbell Gym when the Dukes will take on Riverside-Brookfield. Their next home game is Thursday, December 8, at 4:30 PM against Lyons Township. That match-up will also take place in the Campbell Gym at York Community High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst.

The team is coached by Steve Westendorf and Tim Wealton. Click on the link below to view this season's schedule.

A candlelight vigil for peace and understanding, organized by members of the Elmhurst community, will be held on the east steps of Wilder Mansion beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, December 6, in Wilder Park. Gathering under the banner, “Love Lives Here,” the vigil will be an opportunity for all who attend to show their support for Elmhurst as a community where all are welcome regardless of race, religion, orientation or country of origin.

“Our goal is to celebrate our diversity in a peaceful celebration of our differences and all that binds us together as one community, one country, and one world,” said event organizers Susan Warren and Lisa O’Halloran. “The goal of the evening is to focus our shared energy and commitment on strengthening the diversity that we cherish in Elmhurst, and in communities large and small all across America.”

There will be speakers, community singing and soloists, as well as dancers from York High School's Spanish Heritage dance group. Any attendees who wish are invited to bring an ornament symbolizing “peace” in their tradition to the Love Lives Here holiday tree in Wilder Park. Complimentary hot chocolate and home-baked cookies will be served.

Focus 205’s Community Engagement Session #6, which was originally scheduled for Monday, December 5, will be rescheduled to Wednesday, February 1, 2017. The Focus 205 Facilitating Team recently made the decision to reschedule because, not only is it a busy holiday season, District 205 has yet to receive the results of our recent Thoughtexchange survey, which will be an important factor in shaping the next meeting’s presentation. Please visit www.focus205.org for complete information regarding the Focus 205 process.

Many thanks to the 1,321 participants who assigned over 118,123 stars in the Thoughtexchange survey's second Star step. There were 615 participants who shared 2,417 thoughts in the first Share step. In total, nearly 1,600 participants shared thoughts, assigned stars or did both – a fantastic result!

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

In conjunction with Chris Herren's visit, the Elmhurst Police Department will be holding a special Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, December 3 from 9 AM to 1 PM outside of the Elmhurst Police Station, 125 E. First Street. One thing parents can do to safeguard their children is to clean out their medicine cabinet and get rid of pain pills left over from previous surgeries or injuries. The opioid oxycodone is found in a number of prescription drugs and can be highly addictive. Abuse of this drug produces a euphoric high similar to that of heroin.

Disposal of unused or expired prescription medication is best accomplished by drop-off at an authorized facility, which keeps these drugs out of the City water system and household garbage - as well as out of the hands of kids.

The Elmhurst Police Department has a prescription drug drop-off box in its main lobby, which is accessible 24/7. The box is strictly self-service: no information or identification is required. This simple step prevents accidental poisoning or overdose of family members. For more information, call 630-530-3050 or visit www.elmhurst.org.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Audience: Homepage, Bryan Middle School, Sandburg Middle School and York Community High School

The Elmhurst Commission on Youth, along with the District 205 PTA Council and D205 Foundation, welcome former NBA player Chris Herren to a community event on Tuesday, November 29, beginning at 7 PM in the York High School Campbell (Green & White) Gym. Mr. Herren will share his story of overcoming drug addiction and finding the strength to define himself as a sober man. He has spoken to students and parents across the nation about healthy, real-life strategies for handling the pressures faced by today’s teenagers. To conclude the event, Mr. Herren will field questions from the audience. Following the presentation, Mr. Herren will greet anyone interested in speaking with him. The event will not be videotaped.

District 205 middle schools have committed to making this a "homework free" night, so that students and their parents can attend this special presentation.

Chris Herren will also present to all York High School students in a first period assembly the following morning, November 30, where he will again emphasize the importance of being yourself and not using unhealthy coping mechanisms.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times..." - so wrote Charles Dickens in 1859 in A Tale of Two Cities. This might well describe the overall sentiment in America today, divided as we are over the results of the November 8 election.

There is general agreement, however, that none of us has seen a presidential contest quite like 2016 and that is certainly true for our students. Lacking the maturity which longevity provides, they are, perhaps, more easily influenced by political winds. Nationally, reports indicate that it is our young people, high school and college aged, who feel the most angst over the future and are responding according to those feelings.

In Elmhurst District 205, we are working to address those concerns, while supporting the well-being of all students. At York High School, a kindness campaign (see #kindnessmatters on Twitter) was launched just days after the election, urging students to, above all, be kind and commit random acts of kindness. Many individuals and student groups have been working on creative ways to “pay it forward.” This Friday, students and staff wore purple, the color that comes from mixing red and blue (think Republicans and Democrats), as a symbol of coming together and putting political differences aside.

Our schools have strong and award-winning PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) programs, which well-serve students in both good times and less than optimal situations. All of our schools are consistently committed to valuing diversity, acceptance and respect.

Please know that we are aware there are parent and student concerns and are working to address any and all. If know of a specific situation that needs attention, please contact your child's principal.

On a happy note, there is a grassroots effort called LOVE LIVES HERE, which will sponsor a community candlelight peace vigil, tentatively set for Tuesday, December 6 at 7 PM in Wilder Park. Organizers are Susan Warren, Lisa O'Halloran and other concerned parents and citizens. Stay tuned for complete details. This is truly a time for us to come together, celebrate our differences, and recognize that we are all members of one community, one country and one world.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

November 15, 2016, is designated as School Board Members Day in Illinois. Elmhurst District 205 joins other districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their commitment and contributions to our public schools. Nearly 6,000 people serve as elected school board members in Illinois.

Our school board members serve without monetary compensation to make public education and District 205 the best it can be for every child. During these fiscal times, they develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives of individual students.

They bear responsibility and oversight for an overall annual budget of $150 million; almost 8,500 students from Early Childhood through 12th grade; nearly 1,000 employees; and 15 buildings that sit on 125 acres.

Preparing today’s students to be productive citizens and the leaders in a global economy is a tremendous task. As elected officials, school board members are the voice of their communities, serving first and foremost in the best interest of our schoolchildren.

Often we take for granted the service that these education advocates provide. Taking time out to say “thank you” is the least we can do, as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities. Their service ensures that decisions about Elmhurst public schools are made locally by those most familiar with the needs of our community.

School board members deserve recognition and gratitude for their unfailing commitment to the continuing success of our students now and in the future. Many thanks to Board President Shannon Ebner, Vice President Jim Collins, Secretary Karen Stuefen and members Chris Blum, John McDonough, Emily Bastedo and Dr. Margaret Harrell.

Elmhurst MOD Pizza will be donating $1.00 for every pizza sold to benefit the District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence from November 22 through 27, 2016. The Foundation joins over 175 non-profits across the U.S. that will be the beneficiaries of the Spreading MODness 2016 Campaign – a week at MOD which is focused on supporting youth and families across the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Since opening a store in Elmhurst, MOD Pizza has been an outstanding supporter of the Foundation through sponsorship, an Eat & Earn event, participating in the Top Pizza fundraiser, and hosting several meet and greet events for our kindergarten students and their families.

“The MOD Pizza organization is focused on making a positive impact in their communities, and we are honored and thrilled that the Foundation and the students we serve have been chosen by our local MOD Pizza to be the beneficiaries of this amazing week of generosity,” said Lisa Fanelli, Foundation Executive Director. Proceeds will be used to support educational programs and enhancements that positively impact students at all 13 Elmhurst Public Schools. Visit the Foundation website to learn more.

Last spring the Board of Education approved a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum beginning with the 2016-17 school year, along with the adoption of new resources to be used. Throughout the first trimester our teachers have implemented this new curriculum. As the time approached to purchase the resources for the second and third trimesters, it was determined that a different set of resources would better support the standards-aligned curriculum.

After a 30-day preview of new resources, the Board of Education approved the adoption of resources by Schoolwide for our students in grades K-5. These resources provide an increased opportunity for our teachers to personalize reading instruction in order to better meet the needs of each student. You will begin to see these resources in the classroom as we move into the second trimester.

As we have adopted a new curriculum that is fully aligned to standards, we believe that we need to examine and update the ways in which we report student progress. We will begin work with a grading task force comprised of teachers and administrators to examine the best practices that exist in grading and reporting and look to make changes for 2017-18 school year. Student progress reports for the 2016-17 school year will remain the same with the exception of schools who pilot a new grading and reporting system. However, you may notice that the trimester in which specific skills are reported has changed due to the new curriculum.

If you have questions about ELA resources or reporting student progress, please contact your building principal.

Mary Baum
Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The Elmhurst District 205 K-8 Music Department is proud to announce the names of the middle school students who auditioned and were selected into the Illinois Music Educators Association District 1 Junior Festival. Students had the opportunity to work with a distinguished conductor/clinician in the morning and perform a concert in the afternoon. The Junior Festival Band, Orchestra, and Chorus concert performed on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Lincoln-Way Central High in New Lenox, Illinois. The Junior and Senior Festival Jazz Bands perform November 12, 2016 at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois.

York High School will be holding its sixth annual all-school Veterans Day assembly on Friday, November 11. Any interested U.S. veterans, as well as current servicemen and women, are invited to come and be honored in York’s Campbell Gym. The assembly begins at 8 AM and will include speeches from selected veterans, as well as York students and administrators. Veterans are encouraged to arrive at 7:15 AM for coffee, pastries and bagels in the high school’s Yorker Room, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst (please enter through main door).

On Saturday, November 12, members of the York Student Council will serve a free breakfast to American veterans and their families from 9 to 11 AM in the high school cafeteria. Please contact York Student Council Advisor Matt Moran if you are interested in attending the assembly, the breakfast or both. Let him know how many people will be attending each event by sending an email to MMoran@elmhurst205.org or calling 630-617-2400, ext. 7285 and leaving a message.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at 7:30 PM, the York Community High School Orchestras will present a Holiday Concert, including performances by the York Cadet, Concert and Symphony Orchestras conducted by Ray Ostwald.

The orchestras will offer a mixture of classical and seasonal favorites, as well as a special musical treat for baseball fans. Junior saxophonist and concerto competition winner Matthew Dardick will perform the Concerto for Saxophone and String Orchestra by Alexander Glazounov. Other featured works include Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute and Smetana’s “Dance of the Comedians” from The Bartered Bride. Other featured composers include Gustav Holst and Georg Frideric Handel.

The concert will be in York’s Merle E. Baker Auditorium. Admission is free.

The next all-district Student Late Arrival Day is this Wednesday, November 9. Certified staff and administrators will be using this time to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 will be as follows:

UPDATE: Coach Joe Newton is back in town, but he will not be attending the State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, November 5 at Detweiller Park. He still plans to attend the special celebration in his honor on Sunday, November 6, arriving about 12:45 PM. Event will be streaming live at: http://www.elmhurst205.org/Joe_Newton

Please see other details below.

After coaching the boys cross country teams for the past 60 years, York Community High School’s Joe Newton will be retiring at the end of the 2016 season. On Sunday, November 6 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM a celebration of his legendary career will begin with a cross country social/reunion in the Campbell Gym. All are welcome to attend and view the displays of cross country photos by the decades and catch up with fellow runners.

Coach Newton will attend the main celebration that afternoon from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Joe Newton Fieldhouse. The event will feature speakers, one of whom is Al Janulis, a former York Athletic Director and Newton runner. The public is invited to both events.

The York Distinguished Alumni Program (YDAP) Committee announces its 2016 Dukes of Distinction honorees. YDAP was created to recognize York Community High School alumni who have distinguished themselves through significant and/or extraordinary accomplishments, service and/or an outstanding contribution to society. This is the fourth “class” of inductees, bringing the total to 30. On Thursday, November 3, the following Dukes of Distinction for 2016 will be honored:

Dan Konopka, Class of 1993

Jack Lavin, Class of 1980

Judd Lofchie, Class of 1976

Tekki Lomnicki, Class of 1974

Barbara Kegerreis Lund, Class of 1955

Bob Nottelmann (deceased), Class of 1943

Allan Tereba, Class of 1965

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for a reception in the York Commons at 6:30 PM, followed by a program at 7:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. To read more about this year’s honorees, click here. Visit and like the YCHS Facebook page at www.facebook.com/YorkCommunityHighSchool.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Don’t let your Halloween waste haunt you! Make the choice to compost your pumpkins. If you don't have a backyard compost bin, drop off your pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns at Elmhurst Public Works the Saturday after Halloween, November 5, from 9 AM to noon, 985 S. Riverside Drive. All pumpkins collected are taken to commercial composting facilities and turned into rich nutrients for our soil. Note: Remove candles and decorations before dropping off. For more information, visit: www.scarce.org/pumpkins.

Please continue the community conversation by participating in the star step of our Focus205/Thoughtexchange survey. In step 2, participants will review ideas from other stakeholders and star the ideas you like best. This will help us to better understand what is important to you, both in your child(ren)'s school and in Elmhurst Community School District 205. To date, over 600 participants have shared over 2,400 thoughts.

Even if you could not participate in the first part of this process, you are invited to participate in this next step. Click here to self-register and be added to the Thoughtexchange process. To access frequently asked questions about the process, please click here.

Thoughtexchange invitations have been sent based on the various schools in which a family's children are enrolled and/or, in the case of employees, for as many connections - both professional and personal - as exist. People can opt out of any Thoughtexchanges they do not wish to be involved in at any time.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

District 205's Madison Early Childhood Education Center has achieved an Award of Excellence for Linguistically and Culturally Appropriate Practices in ExceleRate Illinois. Deputy Director Kathrine M. Stohr of the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development stated that "The Awards of Excellence are the highest level of our state’s quality rating and improvement system and recognize research-based best practice in specific content areas. This Award of Excellence demonstrates your program’s successful implementation of high-quality instruction for preschool age children."

Madison ECE Center’s Award of Excellence for Linguistically and Culturally Appropriate Practices will remain in effect for up to three years, provided that the program retains its overall designation in the Gold Circle of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois during this time.

"Congratulations to Madison ECE Center on achieving the Award of Excellence for Linguistically and Culturally Appropriate Practices. We commend you and your staff on this accomplishment, and we thank you for all your good work in support of all children and families in Illinois," said Ms. Stohr.

"The staff has worked very hard to achieve this level of recognition for these practices, and I am very proud of their efforts," said Susan Kondrat, who serves as the Principal of Madison Early Childhood Education Center.

"I am also proud of all of the excellent work in service of students that we see on a daily basis at Madison. This is just one example, and the recognition is well-deserved," echoed District 205 Superintendent Dr. David Moyer.

Kara Caforio, a Focus 205 co-chair, and Stephen Fijor, a P.E. teacher at Jackson, were both honored by the Illinois State Board of Education on October 22 at the annual Those Who Excel banquet, held in Bloomington-Normal. Kara will receive an Award of Merit in the category of Community Volunteer and Stephen will receive an Award of Recognition in the Early Educator category. Kara was nominated by Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer. Stephen was nominated by Jackson Principal Dr. Ryan Anderson.

According to Dr. Moyer, “Kara has been a true leader through her involvement in the PTA and has been integral in our Focus 205 process. She has been a terrific supporter of the District for a long time and is truly deserving of this recognition.”

According to Dr. Anderson, “For students who are fortunate to have Mr. Fijor as their physical education teacher, they are truly receiving a complete education in the various elements of PE. Students learn the vocabulary, concepts, mental skills, physical skills, game strategies, teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness values. All of these help to create well-rounded, healthy children for school and for life.”

Board President Shannon Ebner thanked both Kara and Stephen for their service and for representing District 205 in the Those Who Excel recognition program. A total of 250 honorees received recognition at the banquet on three levels – Recognition, Merit, and Excellence – and across multiple categories, including classroom teacher, school administrator, and student support personnel. Not all nominees are honored.

York High School Drama tackles yet another classic with its performance of the Shakespearean play about star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Shows are 7:30 PM, Thursday through Saturday, October 27 - 29 and 2:00 PM on Sunday, October 30. All seating is reserved. Advanced tickets may be purchased at www.ticketpeak.com/events/yorkdrama.

Please join The Annie LeGere Foundation in raising allergy awareness this Halloween. Please display a teal pumpkin sign on your door to let trick-or-treaters know you have non-food treats available. Signs can be downloaded here. Available at dollar stores, party supply stores, or online shops, low-cost items can be purchased and handed out to all trick-or-treaters, or made available in a separate bowl from candy, if you choose to hand out both items. Examples of items may include:

glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces

pencils, pens, crayons, or markers

bubbles

Halloween erasers or pencil toppers

mini slinkies

whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers

bouncy balls

finger puppets or novelty toys

spider rings

vampire fangs

mini notepads

playing cards

bookmarks

stickers

Help make Halloween safe and enjoyable for all children. To learn more go to foodallergy.org.

The Elmhurst Police Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration for the Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 22. Officers will be on hand in the parking lot of the police station from 10 AM to 2 PM to collect expired, unused or unwanted prescription drugs for safe destruction.

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue, leading to accidental poisoning, overdose and abuse. The non-medical use of prescription drugs is one of the most common forms of drug abuse in America. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from the home medicine cabinets of family and friends. Unused drugs that are flushed into toilets or thrown into the garbage are also environmental hazards, as they contaminate the water supply.

Please check your home for unwanted prescription medications and conveniently drop them off, no questions asked at the Elmhurst Police Station. If you are unable to drop off unwanted prescription drugs on the Take Back Day, you may drop them off at any time to the prescription drug collection box, located in the police department lobby. If you would like more information, please contact the Elmhurst Police Department at (630) 530-3050 or visit www.DEA.gov.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence unanimously approved to provide $50,000 to help fund the Future Ready Model Classroom project, a pilot program that will create three future ready classrooms at the K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grade levels. The Foundation will use proceeds earned throughout the year to help fund the project, which began this summer and should be completed in late fall of 2016.

Foundation Chair Brian Bresnahan explains, “Our mission states that we are dedicated to innovations in education. Helping to move the District further along the spectrum of Future Ready Learning is definitely something we want to be involved with. I think the community will see the value in it and support us.”

Schools selected for project are Fischer (Dawin Strelow/ Kindergarten), Lincoln (Cecilia Dunn/third grade) and Bryan Middle School (Erin Fox/6th grade). In the spring of 2016, all three teachers, along with principals Jane Bailey (Fischer) and Jacquie Discipio (Bryan), as well as Mr. Bresnahan and Foundation Executive Director Lisa Fanelli, participated in Future Ready Model Classroom workshops, led by Wight and Company, the District’s architects. “You could feel the excitement in the room as teachers and administrators collaborated on a vision for the future that would permanently impact the classroom experience on a daily basis,” said Mrs. Fanelli.

Architectural firm Wight & Company was hired by the District as part of a process to develop a long-range Facility Master Plan. Wight has completed a facility study that resulted in an educational alignment guide. Findings and recommendations from this guide will be used to move forward. According to Wight, ready schools must be “agile” and accommodate small group collaboration, learning commons, hubs for social learning, tech-infused spaces, STEM and maker spaces, as well as addressing safety and security considerations, health and comfort, fitness/wellness and outdoor learning.

“The fact that we received multiple Thiems Grant applications requesting new types of seating options, desks and other furnishings, is evidence that teachers want their classrooms to evolve in order to meet current needs,” said Geri Sorrentino, Foundation Programs Chair and District REACH teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School.

These model classrooms will allow people to go beyond imagining what future ready learning environments could be and will actually make the vision come to life in these spaces. Both the Board of Education and Superintendent Moyer have expressed gratitude to the Foundation Board for their support in this project. “These classrooms will assist with future planning to ensure that, one day, all District 205 students will be afforded the opportunity to learn in an environment that promotes engagement, rigor, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication and citizenship in the global information age,” commented Dr. David Moyer, Superintendent of Schools.

Following the completion of these model classrooms, the plan is to gather feedback from participating teachers and students to develop a recommendation toward a District standard for furniture, finishes and integrating classroom technology, as part of a visionary Facility Master Plan. These model classrooms will test and inform that process.

There will be a special public open house at Bryan Middle School on Monday, October 24, from 5:15 to 6:35 PM, just prior to the Focus 205 focus group meetings, held at the three District 205 middle schools from 7 to 8:30 PM.

"We are thrilled with the Foundation's support for Future Ready learning in the District. We could not be more appreciative and are excited for the potential that this project has to begin to shape future decisions about how we utilize space to support learning and teaching," noted Superintendent Dr. David Moyer.

This project is another example of supporting innovation and positioning the District for the future. The Foundation has funded and supported numerous pilots over the years, most of which have later been adopted to benefit teachers and students.

Detailed information about plans for the classrooms, as well as the opportunity to make a donation supporting the project, can be found on the District 205 Foundation website: www.elmhurst205.org/futurereadyclass

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

The Elmhurst Commission on Youth will host author Devorah Heitner in a presentation based on her newly-released book Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in the Digital Age on Tuesday, October 18 at 7 PM in the Sandburg Middle School auditorium,

Many parents feel that their kids are addicted, detached or distracted because of their digital devices. Media expert Dr. Devorah Heitner, however, believes that technology offers huge potential to our children—if parents guide them. In this presentation parents will learn about the digital world to help set kids up for a lifetime of success in a world fueled by technology. Hear about the concerns —and advantages—that teens experience thanks to this level of connection.

Dr. Heitner presents practical parenting "hacks" - quick ideas that can be implemented today to help understand and relate to "digital natives." Parents will be empowered to recognize that the wisdom they have gained throughout their lives is a relevant and urgently needed supplement to their children’s digital savvy and will better understand the skills necessary for managing the new challenges of parenting today. Dr Heitner offers a realistic and optimistic perspective, as well as practical advice, on helping kids navigate the friendship and identity issues that all young people face growing up in the digital age.

Dr. Heitner founded Raising Digital Natives to serve as a resource for schools and organizations wishing to cultivate a culture of responsible digital citizenship. Her book,Screenwise is a useful resource for parents looking for a guide to mentoring their children on navigating friendships, school, and social media. Dr. Heitner's curriculum, Connecting Wisely: Social Emotional Insights and Skills for Plugged in Kids is

​u​sed by schools around the country. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology and Soceity from Northwestern University. She is delighted to be raising her own digital native.

Join other parents at the Elmhurst Public Library on Tuesday, October 18 from 12:30-2:30 PM when Jacqueline Rhew from Alexian Brothers will be presenting Intervention Strategies to Engage Students with Parents Struggling with School Anxiety and School Refusal. Sponsored by District 205 Social Workers, this program is free, but limited to the first 70 in attendance.

The REACH PTA presents Andy Mahoney, Founder and Director of the Center for Identity Potential, speaking on Executive Function in the Gifted and the Role it Plays in Developing Potential. The event, scheduled for Thursday October 27th at 7 PM at the Sandburg Middle School Auditorium, is free and open to the public.

Mr. Mahoney is a recognized expert and pioneer in the field of counseling the gifted and talented. His expertise spans 30 years as a counselor, family therapist, and trainer of mental health professionals. His workshop will provide parents with an overview and understanding of executive function as it relates to giftedness, as well as the role executive function plays in developing potential.

The executive functions are a set of processes that all have to do with managing oneself and one's resources in order to achieve a goal such as self-monitoring, task initiation, organization, planning and prioritizing. Mr. Mahoney will discuss practical means to address executive functioning issues for gifted children in a variety of social, emotional and academic settings.

Honor the Elmhurst Community’s holiday tradition and order a festive Nova Scotia Balsam tree for your front yard from the Elmhurst District 205 Foundation’s holiday tree sale. Proceeds from the tree sale will support educational grants, enhancements and programs that benefit the students of Elmhurst Public Schools.

An outdoor tree is $19 and neighborhood group orders of 4 or more will be delivered free of charge on Nov 26th. Individual orders of outdoor yard trees, as well as an assortment of beautiful indoor trees, may also be purchased for receipt on December 3rd. Visit www.elmhurst205.org/HolidayTrees for more information and to learn about being a neighborhood tree captain. Orders due Friday, October 28th.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

On Monday, October 24, Focus 205 focus group meetings will be held at each of our three middle schools - Bryan, Churchville and Sandburg - from 7 to 8:30 PM. Parents of elementary and high school students are encouraged to attend their child's "feeder" middle school; parents of middle school students are invited to attend their child’s current school. Community members are also invited to participate.

These meetings will involve a short formal presentation on what the future ready classroom looks like, as well as an overview of the educational alignment study conducted by architects Wight & Company last spring. This will be followed by asking for reaction from attendees to some related questions. There will be a moderator and a note taker to record comments. This feedback will help shape the Focus 205 Community Engagement Session #6. Please join the conversation!

Also on October 24, catch a glimpse of the new future ready model classroom at Bryan Middle School, which was just unveiled this week. An open house will be held from 5:15 to 6:45 PM, just prior to the focus group meetings. For more information, click here.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

We want to know what you think! Please share your thoughts through our interactive Focus 205/Thoughtexchange survey, in order to help us better understand what is important to you, both in your child(ren)'s school and in Elmhurst Community School District 205.

Administered by a third-party company called Thoughtexchange, this is an online learning process that allows us to reach out to everyone affected by the decisions made in District 205. This process enables us to hear your thoughts and learn about your priorities. The survey involves three open-ended questions and will only take about 10 minutes to complete.

Star – review ideas from other stakeholders and star the ideas you like best (October 24 – November 3)

Discover – learn what is important to the community as a whole (results available in December)

If you haven’t received an email invitation, click here to self-register and be added to the Thoughtexchange process. To access frequently asked questions about the process, click here. Please join the conversation!

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Churchville Middle School will be holding its eighth annual all-school Veterans Day assembly on Friday, November 11. Any interested U.S. veterans, as well as current servicemen and women, are invited to come and be honored in Churchville's Blue Gym. This year, we will be joining the PTA Reflection theme, "What is Your Story?" and asking that any attending veterans submit a picture to use in telling a story of their service to the audience.

The assembly begins at 2 PM and will include stories from veterans; performances from the Churchville Band, Orchestra, and Choir; a history of Veterans Day and the playing of Taps. Veterans are encouraged to arrive at between 1:30 and 1:45 PM; the PTA will sponsor refreshments following the assembly in the Atrium at 155 Victory Parkway, Elmhurst (please enter through the main door).

York Community High School will be holding its sixth annual all-school Veterans Day assembly on Friday, November 11. Any interested U.S. veterans, as well as current servicemen and women, are invited to come and be honored in York’s Campbell Gym. The assembly begins at 8 AM and will include speeches from selected veterans, as well as York students and administrators. Veterans are encouraged to arrive at 7:15 AM for coffee, pastries and bagels in the high school’s Yorker Room, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst (please enter through the main door).

On Saturday, November 12, members of the York Student Council will serve a free breakfast to American veterans and their families from 9 to 11 AM in the high school cafeteria. Please contact York Student Council Advisor Matt Moran if you are interested in attending the assembly, the breakfast or both. Let him know how many people will be attending each event by sending an email to MMoran@elmhurst205.org or calling 630-617-2400, ext. 7285 and leaving a message.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Youth, parents, community members and educators will benefit from the information offered at a movie screening and guided discussion of the documentary "Smashed: Youth, Brains and Alcohol." A decade of research has indicated that the human brain continues to grow and develop well into a person's mid 20s. As a result, the affects of alcohol on brains that are not fully developed, can be profound and long-lasting.

This 30-minute documentary will explain how alcohol can affect brain development and provide attendees with tools to help them make healthy decisions. The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team, a county-wide coalition working to reduce youth substance use, is hosting this town hall meeting in partnership with the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale.

Has your student ever asked "Why do I need to learn this?" In a Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) session entitled Motivating Teens, experimental developmental psychologist David Yeager will focus on students’ beliefs about their academic abilities and learning potential. How do their beliefs affect their learning and what are the key strategies to best help them persevere in the face of challenges.

Collaborating with his Stanford mentor (and former GPS speaker), Carol Dweck, the two found that when students learn their academic ability is not a fixed trait, like eye color, but instead is like a muscle that can grow and develop with hard work, they do better in school. Yeager's award-winning research has investigated academic underperformance, grit, motivation, healthy eating and bullying.

David Yeager PhD is a highly regarded professor in the department of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a graduate of Stanford and the University of Notre Dame. He recently led a significant national summit on mindset interventions on adolescent behavior at the White House. This presentation will take place on October 10 in the Glenbard South High School auditorium at 7 PM.

Also on Monday, October 10 at 7 PM, Steven Feifer D.Ed will present a session entitled the Adolescent Brain: Practical Strategies for Navigating the Anxieties, Moods and Emotions of Young People in the Glenbard South Little Theater.

This workshop will explore the neural architecture of emotional functioning, and discuss key brain regions responsible for the development of behavioral self-regulation skills in adolescents. Specific strategies to help students who struggle with mood disorders, emotional dysregulation, anxiety and depression will be shared. If students are not in an emotional readiness position to learn, then they will be unsuccessful at school. Parenting strategies and numerous treatment options will be explored.

Steven G. Feifer, DEd, ABSNP is an internationally renowned speaker and consultant in the field of learning disabilities and has authored six books on learning and emotional disorders in children. He has also authored two tests on diagnosing learning disabilities in children and won recognition for his work as a school psychologist and professor of school neuropsychology.

All participants are invited to join us for a Columbus Day pre-event reception at 6:30 PM in the auditorium foyer of Glenbard South, 23W200 Butterfield Rd. in Glen Ellyn. CPDUs are available.

With all eyes on the Cubs, I hope at least some of our parents and community members will find the time to read this latest update! At this fall’s opening administrator workshop, our leadership team developed four belief statements to support our work of Raising the Bar and Closing the Achievement Gap for All Students. They are: ALLstudents must learn and grow; we accept shared responsibility for student growth; we make decisions based on what is best for students; and, we are a future-focused community of learners.

These beliefs will guide the implementation of the District Student Achievement Objectives, individual school improvement plans, and future decision-making related to programming and professional development.

On September 22, the District welcomed Ray McNulty, a senior fellow for the International Center for Leadership in Education. He facilitated a Board Development session in the evening and a leadership workshop in the afternoon. McNulty is a former senior fellow for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Commissioner of Education for the State of Vermont, and past president of the American Association of School Administrators. He works internationally with schools and districts to help them chart their path into the future. We were fortunate to welcome him to Elmhurst to support our work to become a National Leader in Future Ready Learning.

The timing couldn’t have been better, as on October 3, 2016 the District will host the fifth in a series of Community Engagement Sessions as part of the Focus 205 process. The program will review our work from 2015-16, celebrate District accomplishments, introduce/review Future Ready concepts, present information on the current District student achievement objectives, and provide additional details on the five priorities that emerged from the last year’s Focus 205 work. York High School will host the festivities in the Commons beginning at 7:00 p.m. We would love for there to be standing room only.

Monday's session will coincide with a community survey to help the District better gauge the community’s priorities. We encourage all of you to participate in the Focus survey.

This year, in an effort to support classroom teachers in their complex work, monitor implementation of key District instructional priorities (such as new English Language Arts units of instruction, the Eureka math pilot, Mobil Learning Implementation, etc.), ensure effective Professional Learning Community work throughout the District, and in the spirit of continuous improvement, administrators will be conducting instructional rounds in each other’s buildings. Teams of principals and coordinators will collect data and process the information together to inform decision-making. The instructional rounds will focus on learning targets, rigor, and student engagement.

A full-day kindergarten option, implementation of a formal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program, the addition of a dual language option, systemic interventions and/or enrichments and the addition of instructional coaches – these were the top educational priorities identified in Phase I of Focus 205 – a collaborative conversation between the community and Elmhurst School District 205.

District 205 launched this community engagement program last fall. Phase 1 involved four town hall-style meetings held September through December of 2015, focusing on next generation learning, future-ready educational environments and utilization of resources for maximum student success. The Focus 205 Findings Report summarizes the work of this phase.

Phase 2 began last spring with a comprehensive Educational Alignment study; an update was presented to the Board of Education on May 24, 2016.

Focus 205 continues this fall with two more community meetings on October 3 and December 5, beginning at 7 PM in the York High School Commons. We hope you will join us as we recap the work done last year, celebrate student achievement in District 205 and begin exploring options that will support educational priorities in Elmhurst for years to come. RSVP at (630) 617-2300 ext. RSVP (7787) or at www.focus205.org. Please indicate if you require childcare (for ages 3-12).

In between those meetings, District 205 will be gathering community input through an online, interactive and completely confidential survey administered by a company called Thoughtexchange.What is Thoughtexchange? Watch their one-minute video to find out.

This is your chance to share what you value about District 205 as a parent and/or community member, what your vision is for our students’ future-ready learning, as well as ask any questions or contribute any thoughts you might have regarding public education in Elmhurst. Watch for the link in early October. Join the conversation!

Student Late Arrival Days provide time for certified staff and administrators to collaboratively review student data, discuss professional growth topics, problem solve, share best practices and continue the work of building a Professional Learning Community.

In October, the Student Late Arrival days vary by level and are as follows:

High School - October 5, 12 and 26

Middle School - October 6 and 19

Elementary and Early Childhood - October 19

The Student Late Arrival instructional schedule for 2016-17 is:

AM Early Childhood – 9:45 AM to 11:55 AM

PM Early Childhood – 12:55 PM to 3:00 PM

AM Kindergarten – 9:45 AM to 11:55 AM

PM Kindergarten – 12:55 PM to 3:00 PM

Grades 1-5 – 9:45 AM to 3:00 PM

Middle School – 10:00 AM to 3:25 PM

High School – 9:25 AM to 3:06 PM

Supervised student arrival will begin 20 minutes prior to these start times. However, for families of elementary students who need to maintain the same schedule for Student Late Arrival days this coming school year as last, supervision will be made available beginning at 9:10 AM (which was the elementary Student Late Arrival schedule for 2015-16). Please understand that transportation will not be provided at this earlier time.

The 2016-17 School Calendar - which provides a one-page overview of this information - may be found on the District 205 calendar page.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

This message serves as notification that TruGreen will be applying fertilizer, herbicide and vegetation control throughout Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 grounds. Applications will be applied at all schools Saturday, October 1, 2016.

Due to decreasing budgets and limited available personnel, it is impossible for District 205 to prevent weeds without some chemical assistance. The best weed prevention is a healthy lawn and the majority of the applications will be feed for the grass. A limited amount of weed control will also be used in very low concentrations. All EPA guidelines will be followed. The chemical dries in less than an hour. For further information, please click on the links below:

Nineteen members of the York Community High School Class of 2017 have been named National Merit Commended Students, as recently announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The NMSC revealed the names of approximately 34,000 Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Commended Students placed among the top five percent nationally of those tested. A letter of commendation from the NMSC and York High School was presented by Principal Erin DeLuga to each of these outstanding students.

“Although they will not continue in the 2017 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said Michelle Cicirello, Executive Director of Scholarship Administration for the NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource. Recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Interested in running for the Board of Education? Although the school board election next April may seem a long way off, now is the time that candidates should consider their future plans. The Illinois State Board of Elections has established two critical deadlines:

The first day candidates can lawfully circulate nominating petitions for signatures is September 20, 2016.

The period for filing nominating papers runs from December 12 – December 19, 2016.

All nominating paperwork is handled through the DuPage County Clerk’s Office. Important Board Election information, including specific filing procedures, qualifications and materials can be found at www.iasb.com/elections.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held separately for all three levels of District 205 students this year - EC-5, middle school and high school.

Parent Teacher Conference Sign up Begins at 6:00 AM Friday, September 23, 2016 for Bryan, Churchville and York. The signup windows close on Thursday, September 29, at 11:55 PM.Parent Account Activation codes were sent via secure email on Tuesday September 20, 2016. If you did not receive a code, please contact your school office.

Parent-Teacher Conference sign-up for EC-5 students took place earlier in the fall at Open House events. Parents of these students may contact their child’s school with any questions.

Elementary Conferences will be held on Monday, November 21, from 4:30 to 8:00 PM and on Tuesday, November 22, from 10 AM to 6:00 PM. As a result, there will be no school for EC-5 students only on November 22.

Middle School Conferences are Wednesday, October 5, from 4:00 to 8:30 PM and Friday, October 7, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There will be no school for middle school students only on October 7.

High School Conferences are Tuesday, October 4, from 4 to 8:30 PM and Tuesday, October 11 from 12:00 to 7:00 PM. As a result, there will be no school for York High School students only on October 11.

Sandburg Middle School is holding student driven conferences this year. Sign up took place during Curriculum night in August.

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Posted by: Katherine Schroeder, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $33 million to be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and more than half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by over 420 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Mark your calendar now for Thursday, September 29, when the Elmhurst District 205 Foundation will again be hosting a Family Night of basketball slams and jams featuring the Harlem Wizards at York High School. They will be playing against our own “D205 All Stars” made up of Elmhurst faculty and staff. Raffle prizes, concessions and awesome merchandise will be offered for sale. Proceeds benefit all Elmhurst public schools through Foundation programs. Get your tickets early to be sure you get the best seats in the house! Limited number of courtside and reserved seating available. Buy tickets now at www.harlemwizards.com.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

“Welcome to Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205” premiered at elementary and middle school Curriculum Night events last week. It features the voices of D205 students who are also members of the Elmhurst Children’s Theatre. The two-minute video is an overview of the District’s educational priorities, punctuated with images of our students and staff at work and play. It reminds viewers that District 205 is a student-centered, future-focused community which believes all students can and must learn and grow.

Thanks go to the principals and staff of York High School, Churchville Middle School, as well as Lincoln and Field Elementary Schools, for making time in their busy May schedules to accommodate the camera crew from Motion Source. Produced by the Communications Office, the video is posted above and can also be found on the District 205 YouTube channel.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Fall brings back many memories of bygone school days. To bring that past to life, the Elmhurst History Museum's schoolmarm is gearing up for a new year at the Churchville Schoolhouse, the City of Elmhurst's 1850s-era one-room schoolhouse, located in Bensenville. Last year, more than 800 students explored local history through this unique living history experience.

You can visit this area treasure at the annual Churchville Schoolhouse Fall Open House on Saturday, October 1 from 11 AM-2 PM. Featured will be: class with the schoolmarm, musical performances of American folk songs by the Conrad Fischer School Singers (11:30 AM and 1 PM), live music by the Battlefield Balladeers, and new this year - dancing the Virginia Reel and Circassian Circle Dance with the school marm. More information is available here.

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Posted by: Melea Smith, District Admin, Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

ACT has just released this year’s scores for the Class of 2016. At the state level, average composite scores on the ACT college entrance exam increased slightly from last year's 20.7 to 20.8. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 saw students’ scores increase from 24.2 to 24.7, a new all-time high in the history of the District. York Community High School ACT scores have been trending upward over the past five years.

A total of 156,403 students were tested in Illinois, including 655 from York. Following is the breakdown of the four areas tested, along with the State and District average composite scores:

Subject

Illinois 2016

District 205 2016

English

20.5

24.6

Mathematics

20.6

24.8

Reading

21.0

24.7

Science

20.6

24.1

Composite Score

20.8

24.7

“We are extremely pleased that our district has set a high-water mark with the ACT, and equally pleased at the growth we have seen in last year's senior class throughout their high school career,” said Superintendent Dr. David Moyer. “This is reflective of both the hard work of these students and the support they have received from of all of our staff over the years they have spent with us.”

The Class of 2016 was the last graduating class in Illinois that was required to take the ACT as a part of the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). The Illinois State Board of Education has decided to transition from the ACT to the SAT as the required measure of college readiness for Illinois juniors beginning in the spring of 2017. District 205 will continue to report the performance of its students on the ACT, but will also transition to the SAT with the rest of the state.

Young Hearts for Life returns to York High School on Thursday, October 6 to provide free ECG heart screenings to all students who are registered. The screening is offered during the school day. To sign up your child,please go to www.yh4l.organd click on the drop down button that says Registration & Events. Click on Chicago Metropolitan Region and then choose your child's school.

In order to make this event successful, we need to have parent/community volunteers. All volunteers must attend one of the training sessions. We're using SignUp.com to register volunteers. Please sign up for York Community High School!

3.Choose your spots. Be sure to sign up for your training session as well as the shift you will work at the screening.Please considerjoiningus for the entire day.SignUp.com will send you an automated confirmation and reminders.